Scientific name: Corylus avellana ‘contorta’
Family: BETULACEAE
Common names: “Harry Lauder’s walking stick” “corkscrew hazel”
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Conditions:
Zone: 3-9
Light: Full sun – semi-shade
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
Soil: Fertile soil, alkaline or neutral
Moisture: Well drained, moist soil
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 10′ W 10′
Leaf and Stem shape: Distorted leaves and twisted “corkscrew” branches
Flower: Male catkins, and female tiny red flowers which become hazelnuts
Pruning: Prune in June, remove any straight shoots, can be pruned to make a weeping look
Maintenance: Grows slowly in first years, requires little maintenance once established
Landscape use: Winter interest, branches used in flower arrangements
Propagate: By cuttings or grafting
Pests & Disease: Caterpillars might be a problem, squirrels get the nuts, generally disease free
Comments: Would be an excellent feature in any garden that is highly visible, and the curly branches can fetch decent price
~AGM winner
Cultivars: Corylus avellana ‘red majestic’ – a little smaller but has purple foliage, also AGM winner
