Corylopsis spicata is a spreading spike witch hazel sometimes called winter hazel that is native to japan it has mild scented racemes of butter yellow flowers that hang down from bare stems in late winter and early spring giving colour to the garden after months of bleakness these are followed by bold red leaf shoots which turn dark green as the leaves emerge it is a spreading variety and an ideal location is planted in a sheltered position at the back of a wide border height 200cm 40