BlueBell Arboretum & Nursery

Mail order trees, shrubs, conifers and woody climbers

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Description

An exceptionally popular, ornamental plant. Corylus avellana 'Contorta' was first found in a Gloucestershire hedgerow in the mid-nineteenth century and this original plant can still be found growing at Myddelton House in Middlesex.

It has amazing, gnarled and twisted branches and forms a dense rounded shrub. The contorted branches have great interest all year round, especially winter and it also has masses of small, creamy-white catkins in early spring. A superb shrub with year round interest!

Features

• Common name: Corkscrew Hazel / Harry Lauder's Walking Stick.
• Position: Full sun or partial shade.
• Soil: Any fertile soil.
• Hardiness: Hardy.
• Flowering Period: January to March (Catkins).
• Rate of Growth: Slow.
• Habit: Medium sized or eventually large, densely branching shrub with contorted, twisting stems.
• Height: up to 3 m (10 ft).
• Spread: 3 m (10 ft).
• Notes: The twisted stems of Corylus avellana 'Contorta' are often used to help create eye-catching flower arrangements.
• Size: 3L containers