Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis 'Spring Purple'

Chinese winter hazel 'Spring Purple'

'Spring Purple' is a large, spreading, deciduous shrub, to 5m in height, with broadly-oval leaves that are purple-tinged when young. Mature foliage is blue-green beneath and dark green above and may turn shades of orange and purple in autumn. Fragrant yellow flowers are borne, in drooping racemes to 8cm in length, on bare stems in spring

Synonyms
Corylopsis sinensis (Willmottiae Group) 'Spring Purple'
Corylopsis willmottiae 'Spring Purple'

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Purple Green
Summer Green Grey Silver
Autumn Orange Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Corylopsis are deciduous shrubs or small trees, with simple, toothed leaves and nodding racemes of small, usually fragrant, bell-shaped pale yellow flowers in early spring

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in acidic soil in a shady position but may need some protection as late frosts can damage the flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in autumn in an open frame, softwood cuttings in summer or layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1 immediately after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.