Comprising nearly thirty species from eastern Asia, Corylopsis belongs to the witch hazel family and shares that family's gift for blooming in the cold margins of the year. The genus name nods to the resemblance of its leaves to Corylus, the true hazels, though Corylopsis earns its own place entirely through those drooping yellow flower clusters that appear in February and March. Depending on the species, plants settle into rounded multi-stemmed shrubs four to fifteen feet across.

Partial shade suits the genus well — deep woodland light, the kind that filters through deciduous canopy — in loamy, acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Heavy clay will cause decline. Pruning is rarely required and should happen immediately after flowering to avoid cutting next season's bloom buds. The winter hazel is at its most generous when planted in small groups where its fragrance can pool in still winter air.