Winter Hazel Plant Care

Winter Hazel (Corylopsis sinensis) belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family within the Corylopsis genus. Winter Hazel is native to western China. Winter Hazel is also known as Chinese Winter Hazel.

Winter Hazel displays a deciduous shrub, spreading habit growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Winter Hazel produces fragrant yellow bell-shaped flowers in early spring.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Winter Hazel every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Winter Hazel thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Corylopsis sinensis tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Winter Hazel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Moist, well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Winter Hazel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Winter Hazel every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and moist, well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Winter Hazel can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Winter Hazel while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Winter Hazel can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fewflower winterhazel plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Winter Hazel is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.