About
Corylus maxima 'Purpurea' is a substantial deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 6 meters. Its leaves are broad and display a rich purple hue, growing up to 12 centimeters long. In late winter, it produces elongated pale yellow catkins that hang from bare branches, which are later succeeded by edible nuts enveloped in a tubular husk.
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, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows well in chalky soil in sun or partial shade. For fruit production, grow as a goblet-shaped bush. Keep clear soil in a 60cm radius around trunk
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by 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