Winter Hazel

A beautiful and more elegant shrub than Forsythia heralding the arrival of spring (my photo doesn't do it justice) Corylopsis, or winter hazels and a member of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae) are the ones I most look forward to seeing. There are 29 different species, mainly varying in height and spread so there should be one suitable for any garden size, If you have humus-rich, well-drained soil and a spot in light share, you really should have one. Like witch hazels, all have a habit of horizontal branching, the tallest and hardiest is C. glabrescens and the smallest, arguably the cutest and ideal for small gardens is C. pauciflora. Both are native to Japan and the name Corylopsis means "resembling a hazelnut". The real joy of these graceful beauties are the bell-shaped yellow flowers with paler yellow or even cream bracts, which form in dense racemes - produced mostly on naked stems or alongside soft, deeply veined, bright green leaves as they emerge. If that doesn't confirm its place in the garden for you, autumn colour in various shades of yellow adds further interest. Underplanted with Sarcococca, hellebores and miniature daffodils and you'll be drawn outside even on the chilliest early March days.