About

Corylus maxima 'Gunslebert' is a sizable shrub that can reach up to 6 meters in height if left untrimmed. It features wide, textured leaves and produces yellow-brown catkins during late winter or early spring. In early to mid-autumn, it bears clusters of nuts enclosed in pale green husks. This filbert variety is known for its ability to yield large, flavorful nuts relatively early in its life, with improved production when cross-pollinated with another variety.

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

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Does best on light, sandy, well-drained soil. For nut production, grow as a goblet-shaped bush and keep clear soil in a 60cm radius around the trunk. See cobnuts and filberts
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by 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