Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

RHS Plant Profile
corkscrew hazel

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corkscrew hazel RHS 2003
corkscrew hazel RHS
corkscrew hazel RHS
corkscrew hazel RHS / Joanna Kossak

Other common names

Harry Lauder's walking stick

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Shrubs
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Large deciduous shrub about 6m tall, with strongly twisted branches bearing broadly heart-shaped, slightly twisted and contorted, mid-green toothed leaves, turning yellow in autumn, and pendent yellow male catkins in late winter and early spring followed by brownish fruits in late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Corylus are deciduous trees and large shrubs with broad leaves, and showy male catkins in early spring, followed by edible nuts
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, ideal for chalky soils and good for winter flower arrangements. For more information see cobnuts and filberts

Propagation

Propagate by grafting or layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1 if necessary, pruning is not generally required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, gall mites, aphids and sawflies. Squirrels like to feed on the nuts

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, silver leaf and Powdery mildews