This shrub has an open upright-spreading habit with reddish shoots that form a rounded crown. It has broad lanced-shaped mid-green leaves and the small pendant bell-shaped pale yellow flowers appear in a raceme from late winter to early spring. 

Hardiness zones 5 to 10 

Stachyurus praecox is naturally found growing in woodlands of Japan preferring a slightly acidic well drained soils. It prefers a open sunny to semi shaded position and is drought tender but frost resistant.

The Early Spiketail is grown for its early flowers and rounded habit.  It is planted along garden borders for screening or used as a specimen against a wall. It is suitable for coastal or low mountain regions establishing in 3 to 5 years and is long lived. This shrub is also grown in woodland settings and used in Japanese gardens as a specimen. ID 1358

Stachyurus (stă-kee-EW-rus) praecox (PRIE-koks)

Stachyuraceae (STAK-ee-yoo-RAY-see-ee)