The Asian Collection is Spectacular this week

Thanks in no small part to the many Corylopsis. There are over 20 species in the genus in the Hamamelidaceae. We have a handful of them in the collection. Richard Olsen, who ought to know, maintains that we have one of, if not the, top collection in the US. They're all flowering now and provide a good counterpoint to the Magnolias. The perfumes are different, the Magnolias are rich and spicy, almost tangible in their richness; the Corylopsis, not so strong, more floral, almost citrusy. Actually the Corylopsis scent is not especially strong but, by virtue of the number of plants and flowers, pervades the entire garden. The plant in the middle picture is Corylopsis pauciflora, finely branched and symmetrical compared to the others. The flowers in the bottom picture are C. glandulifera; this plant in China Valley is among the most fragrant of our specimens.