Corylopsis Sinensis Chinese witch hazel, winter hazel Before a single green leaf can appear on the thin branches of C.
sinensis, it produces an abundance of small, lemon-yellow, bell-shaped flowers in pendent racemes.
The leaves emerge after the stunning blossom, obovate and dark green.
The delicate, spreading shrub is happiest in any normal soil in partial shade.
Old branches or unwanted shoots can be removed straight after flowering.
For best effect, plant with other early-flowering trees such as magnolia, Salix, or Corylus.
Cornus Kousa Japanese flowering dogwood The fruit of C.
kousa hang from the tree like fleshy, ripe strawberries.
They are another highpoint in the life of the sensational flowering dogwood, their appearance filling the interval between flowering and fall colors.
Corylus Avellana "Contorta" Common filbert, corkscrew filbert The strikingly twisted branches of the corkscrew filbert can be seen to best effect in early spring, when numerous yellow catkins hang from the tree-like shrub.
This robust plant thrives in any humus soil, which is neither too moist nor too dry.
It may be pruned if necessary in winter or spring.
Tip: the beautiful branches can be used for flower arranging.
Cotinus Coggygria "Royal Purple" Wig tree "Royal Purple" has something to offer for every season.
The foliage, which is a deep, dark red, almost blackish color, from the shoot stage, turns scarlet red in fall.
Especially bizarre are the small fruit, which have feathery, reddish-tinged hairnets on their stems, from which the plant derives its name.
In a sunny site in any normal soil, "Royal Purple" will demonstrate its variety.
Pruning is not necessary, as it would only spoil the shrub's natural growing shape.
Plant in fall.
Cotoneaster Atropurpureus "Variegatus" Variegated cotoneaster When it comes to easy-going plants with modest needs, there is scarcely a shrub or tree that can surpass the resilient cotoneaster.
Location is almost irrelevant with this plant, as it is happy in any soil, in either sun or partial shade.
The plant can be cut back hard (if necessary) without any damage.
Because an urban climate is also entirely acceptable to this plant, the cotoneaster is also used for urban planting.
The deciduous variety "Variegatus" is planted in yards, because of its dense, delicate, white-margined leaves and pretty, orange-red fall fruit.
It is ideal for ground cover in difficult locations, planting on banks or low-supporting walls.
It can also be used as a low-growing shrub in rockeries.
Crataegus laevigata"Rubra Plena" Midland hawthorn Due to its hardiness, the pretty, dark pink flowering "Rubra Plena" does outstandingly well when planted in exposed, unsheltered sites, because neither wind nor weather can do it any real damage.
This makes it well suited to coastal conditions too.
Even when it comes to soil, this rounded, thorny, deciduous tree is not choosy, although it will not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Sun or partial shade is equally welcome.
The red, roundish fall fruit are particularly popular with birds.
Remove only troublesome branches in winter or spring.