Corylopsis spicata 'Aurea'

Fragrant flowers and brilliant foliage changes distinguish this Golden Winter Hazel, the first ever to retain its yellow leaves into summer! A beautiful shurb that offers color in all 4 seasons (but is not evergreen!), 'Aurea' should become a mainstay of your partly shaded garden.

In late winter, glorious bright yellow blooms arise on the bare branches of this shrub, hanging in crowded lines on 1- to 2-inch elegant pendulous stems. Exuding a spicy sweet scent, they perfume the cold air and offer the promise that spring is near! Expect them to last into early spring -- and cut entire branches to bring indoors if you want to enjoy the color and scent up close in the vase!

In spring, the new foliage leafs out bright yellow with strong tints of orange and rose. These vanish after several weeks, but the yellow tones remain into summer, gradually turning chartreuse and then lime green. With the first colder weather of autumn, they are once again yellow, but this time a rich buttery golden, soon acquiring warm orange tones. The fall foliage stays on the shrub for many weeks before finally dropping into a bright pool on the garden floor. Stunning!

'Aurea' reaches about 6 feet high and wide at maturity. When young it is upright and well-branched, but as it matures its branches acquire a more horizontal cast, creating a lovely layered effect. Consider planting this shrub in the center of a stand of Helleborus, which is evergreen and blooms at the same time, or among very early-blooming spring bulbs such as Snowdrops and Crocus.

Corylopsis is best in morning sun or dappled shade. It needs some light to bring out the best foliage color, but too much will cause it to green out earlier. It thrives in any well-drained soil, and is relatively free of pests and diseases. Add this unusual and beautiful shrub to your garden this season! Zones 6-8.