American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Discover Corylus americana, the native American hazelnut, valued for its edible nuts, versatile shade tolerance, and low maintenance for naturalized settings.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The American hazelnut, scientifically known as Corylus americana, is a highly valuable native shrub celebrated for its hardiness and the production of edible nuts. This deciduous shrub forms a dense, multi-stemmed habit, making it excellent for screening or naturalizing in open landscapes. Gardeners appreciate Corylus americana for its adaptability across a wide range of moisture and light conditions found throughout Eastern North America.
This plant offers seasonal interest, beginning with inconspicuous, monoecious flowers in early spring followed by small, flavorful nuts later in the summer. The foliage transitions through variable fall colors, adding complexity to the late-season garden. As a resilient native, the American hazelnut supports local ecosystems while requiring minimal intervention once established.
Growing Corylus americana is straightforward due to its low maintenance requirements. It thrives in average soils and is tolerant of competitive site conditions, making it a reliable choice for less managed areas like woodland edges or large naturalized plantings where its spreading nature is beneficial.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Betulaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Native Range: Eastern North America
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-16 ft
- Spread: 8-13 ft
- Bloom Time: March to April
- Bloom Description: Male - brown, female - red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting the American hazelnut is best achieved in the dormant season—early spring or late fall—to allow root establishment before temperature extremes. Corylus americana adapts well to average, medium, well-drained soils. Ensure the site receives full sun to partial shade for optimal growth and nut production.
Water needs are medium; while established plants tolerate some dryness, consistent moisture is beneficial, especially during the first few growing seasons. Fertilization is usually unnecessary as this shrub is adapted to native soils. Pruning primarily involves management: prompt removal of root suckers is crucial if you wish to maintain a tighter, less thicket-like appearance.
Seasonal care should focus on monitoring for potential issues, addressed below. In early spring, before bud break, any necessary thinning of older or crossing branches in the center of the shrub can improve air circulation. Remember that if left unmanaged, this species naturally forms extensive thickets, which can be desirable in certain ecological restoration projects.
If planting near Black Walnut trees, rest assured that Corylus americana exhibits tolerance to juglone, making it a great understory or border option near these specific trees.
Landscape Uses
The robust and spreading nature of the American hazelnut makes it exceptionally suitable for informal landscape applications. It is highly recommended for use as a natural screen or hedge where a formal, sheared look is not desired, thriving in open woodland gardens or prairies where it can colonize available space. This shrub establishes quickly, providing effective visual barriers or stabilizing slopes.
Consider using Corylus americana in wildlife plantings or native borders where its eventual nut crop will attract local fauna, including birds and squirrels. Its natural, rounded form allows it to blend seamlessly with other native understory trees and shrubs, serving as an excellent background element due to its height range of up to 16 feet.
As a screen, group several Corylus americana plants together. For hedges, allow the natural suckering to create a dense screen over time, or actively manage suckers if a slightly more contained boundary line is required near paths or lawns.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Corylus americana, commonly called American filbert or hazelnut, is a Missouri native, deciduous, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub which typically grows 8-16’ tall and occurs statewide in dry or moist thickets, woodlands and wood margins, valleys, uplands and prairies. Male flowers appear in showy, yellowish brown catkins while female flowers are small and reddish. The edible nuts mature in summer, encased in ragged-edged bracts, offering a flavor similar to the European filbert, making them popular for roasting or milling.
Tolerances
- Clay Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
The most significant horticultural concern for Corylus americana is its susceptibility to Eastern filbert blight, a serious fungal disease. While this blight is often more devastating to commercial European varieties, native stock can still be affected. Management includes locating plants where air circulation is good to help dry foliage quickly.
Additionally, the American hazelnut can suffer from fungal leaf spots and occasionally crown gall, often exacerbated by overly wet conditions or poor air movement. Insect pests are generally minor but may include scale insects or various foliage-eating caterpillars. Inspect foliage regularly, and employ horticultural oils or targeted treatments only when infestations become severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is American hazelnut suitable for?
The American hazelnut (Corylus americana) is highly adaptable, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Corylus americana grow?
This deciduous shrub typically matures to a height between 10 and 16 feet, with a spread ranging from 8 to 13 feet, developing a rounded, multi-stemmed structure.
What sun exposure does American hazelnut need?
Corylus americana performs best when situated in full sun to part shade locations, offering flexibility in landscape planning.
When does American hazelnut bloom?
Flowering occurs relatively early, usually from March to April, featuring visible yellowish-brown catkins (male) and small, red structures (female).
Conclusion
The American hazelnut (Corylus americana) remains an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking a resilient, low-maintenance native shrub that delivers tangible rewards, including edible nuts and reliable seasonal structure. By allowing this fast-growing plant room to assert its natural, thicket-forming habit, you contribute positively to local ecology. Ensure you check your local hardiness zone compatibility before planning your springtime planting schedule for this versatile native.
Wildlife Benefits
The primary wildlife benefit of Corylus americana centers around its nut production. The small, egg-shaped nuts, maturing late in the summer, are a vital food source for numerous native wildlife species, including chipmunks, squirrels, and various birds. Providing this reliable, high-energy food source supports healthy local populations as they prepare for winter.
Furthermore, the dense, multi-stemmed structure created by suckering growth offers excellent protective cover and nesting habitat. Birds will use the dense thickets of the American hazelnut for security from predators and harsh weather, making it a functional component of shelterbelts or dense hedgerows.
Companion Planting
Given its tolerance for low light and somewhat competitive roots (evidenced by its Black Walnut tolerance), Corylus americana pairs well with other robust native woodland edge species. Consider planting it alongside other shade-tolerant shrubs that offer different textures or bloom times, such as various viburnums or native dogwoods, ensuring a layered, visually interesting border.
It integrates well into prairie or woodland garden designs where it can meet the medium water requirements shared by many Eastern North American natives. Avoid planting extremely high-maintenance, moisture-loving ornamentals immediately adjacent, as the hazelnut prefers average soil conditions over constantly saturated ground.
