About

Corylus avellana 'Aurea' is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub that can reach heights of approximately 6 meters. In spring, its foliage emerges in a bright yellow hue, transitioning to a yellow-green shade as summer progresses, and finally changing to pale yellow in autumn before the leaves drop. This plant produces yellow catkins in the spring, which later develop into nuts that are favored by squirrels.

About the genus

Corylus comprises deciduous trees and sizable shrubs featuring wide leaves. In early spring, they produce prominent male catkins, which are succeeded by edible nuts.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Spreading branched
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, ideal for chalky soils and best leaf colour in full sun. For more information see cobnuts and filberts
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 7. Suitable for coppicing alternate years to keep height restricted
Propagation
Propagate by seed, layering or stooling or removing rooted suckers
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to caterpillars, gall mites, aphids and sawflies. Squirrels like to feed on the nuts
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus, silver leaf and powdery mildews