About

Corylus avellana 'Heterophylla' is a deciduous shrub that typically reaches a height of around 6 meters. It features narrow, softly hairy leaves that are deeply lobed and turn a pale yellow in the autumn before they drop. In winter, the plant produces numerous yellow catkins, which bloom early in spring and later give way to a bounty of sizable, edible nuts that attract 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
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs, Trees
Habit
Spreading branched
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
5-10 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 best leaf colour in full sun. For more information see cobnuts and filberts
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by layering or grafting
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