About
Corylus avellana 'Contorta' is a sizeable deciduous shrub that can reach heights of approximately 6 meters. It features prominently twisted branches adorned with broad, heart-shaped leaves that exhibit a subtle twist and serrated edges, displaying a mid-green hue that transforms to yellow in the autumn months. In late winter and early spring, the plant produces drooping yellow male catkins, which are succeeded by brownish nuts that appear in late summer.
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
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- 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 good for winter flower arrangements. For more information see cobnuts and filberts
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1 if necessary, pruning is not generally required
- Propagation
- Propagate by grafting or layering
- 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