Spring Work on Winter Hazel
by Boon Manakitivipart, USA
Winter Hazel (Corylopsis spicata) is a lovely flowering species for bonsai. The white/gray bark and yellow flowers of early spring present a striking image. In bonsai culture, once you have enjoyed the flowers in spring they need to be removed.
This article shows the seasonal work that should be done after about 75% of the flowers have opened. Removing the opened and unopened flower buds will redirect the energy toward producing new leaves. This redirection of energy will help to keep the tree healthy and producing spectacular flowers year after year.
Spring 2004. Winter Hazel in bloom, 23" tall. From the author's collection.
Do not let the flowers turn to seed. We need to cut off the flowers
after about
75% have opened up.
Cut each raceme (flower stalk) at the base.
Detail of the flowers.
Be sure that the leaves remain after cutting off the flowers.
Note the amount of flowers that were cut. The leaves on the floor come from a branch that was removed. No other leaves were removed.
After the work. Corylopsis spicata, 23" tall.