Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis Spring Purple

Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis 'Spring Purple'  first surprises with its early flowering formed by countless pendulous clusters of butter-yellow flowers in March, followed by the appearance of its elegant prune-coloured foliage. Appreciated by connoisseurs, it is a deciduous bush with a spreading habit, to be planted in humus-rich soil with a tendency towards acidity.

Native to Sichuan, Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis grows in forests and valleys between 1800 and 2500 metres (5905 feet 6 inches and 8202 feet 1 inches) above sea level. 'Spring Purple' is a British selection from Hillier Nurseries, it is a graceful shrub whose young foliage turns a deep purple-violet colour. The foliage of Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis 'Spring Purple' retains its colour from spring until July, before turning bronze green and then taking on beautiful autumn colours, making it attractive over a long period in the garden.

The flowering in March-April marks the beginning of the spring-flowering shrubs. A light yellow colour like that of primroses, the messenger of spring, it is composed of numerous pendulous racemes (clusters) 5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.8 in) long. Each raceme contains 10 to 17 individual pale yellow, slightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers. Unfortunately, it can be damaged by late frosts, although the bush itself is hardy beyond -15°C.

Corylopsis sinensis var. sinensis 'Spring Purple' forms a tall bush of about 4 metres (13 feet 1 inches) in height, with an airy and spreading habit. It grows in rich, moist, well-drained, acidic, and humus-rich soil, in semi-shade or light shade, sheltered from cold winds. It can be a beautiful standalone specimen or can connect the flowering of late camellias to that of early rhododendrons and azaleas in association with other ericaceous plants. To highlight its flowering, it can be planted in front of an evergreen shrub that will provide a beautiful dark green background.