Corylopsis Pauciflora

Corylopsis Pauciflora, also known as Buttercup Winter Hazel or Buttercup Witch Hazel, is native to Japan and Taiwan. This is an early spring bloomer that flowers from February to April and brightens up a bare garden with its yellow blooms before the main flowering shrubs of summer get underway. The RHS have given this superb early flowering shrub the Award of Garden Merit. 
Like many early flowering shrubs, Buttercup Winter Hazel blooms before its foliage appears. These blooms are an inch long, sweetly-scented and a pale yellow bell-shape. They fall in racemes and attract the early waking pollinators. After flowering Buttercup Witch Hazel will produce three inch leaves tinged with red that mature into a fresh, bright green.
Buttercup Witch Hazel is an average growing shrub that’s bushy in summer. It will reach a maximum of one to one and half metres in height and will spread over one and half to two and half metres over ten to twenty years. In the winter months it provides an intricate structural framework. 

How Hardy Is Corylopsis Pauciflora?
Buttercup Witch Hazel is fully hardy withstanding sub-zero temperatures, but it does not like cold drying winds. Its best planted in sheltered spot.     

How To Use Corylopsis Pauciflora
Buttercup Witch Hazel prefers a partially shady position, so it makes a good addition to a shaded fence line at the back of a mixed border. It can be trained and looks very attractive bordering a wooded edge. Wildlife gardens benefit from Buttercup Witch Hazel because it provides an early food source to pollinators when there is generally little about. 
Because Buttercup Witch Hazel is slow growing it is suitable for smaller gardens and can be placed near the home where you can appreciate it in the chilly early spring months. It’s also worth planting some near a path or seated area, so you can enjoy its honey-sweet scent. In winter, drape some solar lights through the framework to brighten a dull day.
early spring favourites such as snowdrops or hellebores planted beneath create a delicate pale feature area before the summer riot of colour arrives.

How To Care For Corylopsis Pauciflora
Buttercup Witch Hazel prefers partial shade and an acid soil. It will manage in other soils but will flourish in the more acidic conditions. Well-drained moist soil will be appreciated as will a yearly application of mulch in January to February.
Corylopsis Pauciflora does not require consistent pruning but its best to remove diseased, damaged or crossed shoots to maintain an open healthy framework. Do this after flowering to ensure you’ll keep those buttercup yellow blooms in early spring.