Stachyurus (Stachyurus praecox) is a deciduous woodland shrub that makes an eye-catching statement from early to mid-spring when daffodils are in bloom. Flowers appear before the leaves emerge. (USDA 6-8). Floral buds form in autumn and overwinter on the shrub in pendant, catkin-like racemes that hang from the leaf axils. This distinctive chains of yellow flowers are truly stunning. Each 4-inch-long flowering raceme has 10-20 tiny, bell-shaped, 4-petaled, yellow-green flowers that measure 3/8 inches across.

A native of Japan, stachyurus is sometimes called “catkin” and “spiketail”, referring to its dangling flowers. Shrub grows 4 -10 feet tall with an open, upright, arching-spreading habit. During the growing season, attractive red-brown branches are clothed (somewhat sparsely) with ovate, tapered, serrate, medium green leaves (to 7” long). Foliage may turn rosy-red and yellow in fall.

Stachyurus is best grown in humus-rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soil and in morning sun to full-day dappled shade. Flowers bloom in late March-April when the threat of cold injury is ever present. Site selection is most important to shelter from cold, drying winter winds. Otherwise, flower buds may be injured by frost.

The nectar-filled flowers attract early foraging bees and make great cut flowers. Foliage may turn rosy red and yellow in fall. Generally rated as low maintenance, it requires little pruning or care. No serious disease or insect problems trouble stachyurus. The shrub flowers on old wood, so pruning should be done in early spring immediately after flowering. Remove flowering shoots to the base on mature plants. Deer resistance is questionable?

Stachyurus is a plant collector’s gem and only sold at on-line specialty nurseries.

Cultivars / Varieties:

• S. praecox ‘Carolina Parakeet’ – subtle, light green variegation in the center of leaves; incredible dripping 4” strings of oft-yellow blossoms and vibrant, rose blushed new leaves. Floral petioles hold its bright and vibrant red all season long.
• S. praecox ‘Issai’ has racemes up to 12″ long and may have as many as 3 or 4 racemes at each node. 
• S. praecox var. matsuzakii is a vase-shaped deciduous shrub reaching a mature height of 15 feet in height; sports pendulous yellow flowers and fall color is yellow to golden.
• ‘Sterling Silver’ produces long yellow racemes of flowers, which “drip” from arching branches.
• S. chinensis ‘Joy Forever’ – opens spring with bright variegated yellow serrated foliage that emerges from new pink-red stems. Each floral chains dangle is longer than those of S. praecox. Flowers open about 2 weeks later than those of S. praecox; less vulnerable to spring frost; grows 8-10 feet wide and 5-6 feet tall in a mound form.