Considering Corylopsis

Corylopsis veitchiana, the artist formerly known as Corylopsis sinensis f. veitchiana, or Veitch’s Winter Hazel, is a member of the family Hamamelidaceae, known better as the Witch Hazel family. Many of the species that fall within the Corylopsis genus exhibit attractive flowering structures at the cusp of spring, later than the bloom time of Hamamelis, usually falling somewhere between March and April in the Mid-Atlantic region. The showy inflorescences of Veitch’s Witch Hazel, specifically, appear first as succulent buds in mid-winter on top of smooth, sinewy bark, slowly unraveling to reveal drooping, lime green to fluorescent yellow clusters of layered frills. The flowers appear before the foliage begins to push, making the pendulous, brightly colored blooms stand out amongst the still-barren atmosphere of the late winter landscape.