Contorted Filbert

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Shrub
Plant Family: Betulaceae
Plant Description: Often called Harry Lauder's Walking Stick or Corkscrew Hazel. Features spiraling and twisting branches and shoots which look as good in the winter landscape as they do in floral arrangements. Male flowers consist of creamy yellow and tan catkins that appear in spring, while female flowers are inconspicuous. Not likely to produce nuts. Requires regular watering and occasional pruning.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Shrub - Thinning
Plant Care: Shrub - Thinning (woody multi-stemmed plants that lose their leaves every winter and look best on older stems): Prune dead, diseased, or rubbing branches. Pruning is best done in late winter to early spring for most shrubs. With spring blooming shrubs, prune after the blooms are spent. Remove up to 1/3rd of the overall shrub, keeping older branches to build up a sturdy, permanent and picturesque framework. Keep in mind that these shrubs bloom directly on older wood or on shoots that come off old wood. Monitor for pests, diseases, or other ailments on a regular basis.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 8-10' tall and wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: No
Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Tan, Yellow, Cream
Bloom Seasons: Early Spring
Bloom Period: Mar - Apr

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

  • Design Path
    • Initial Analysis
  • Neighborhood Landscapes
    • Traditional Yet Thrifty
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter