Hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
Corylus avellana, the common Hazelnut, is a low-care deciduous shrub famed for its edible nuts and attractive early spring catkins.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Corylus avellana, widely known as the common Hazelnut or European filbert, offers gardeners both aesthetic appeal and practical harvest potential. This vigorous, thicket-forming deciduous shrub is recognized for its ability to establish quickly, often utilized for naturalized areas or robust hedges. Its value lies not only in its moderate size but also in the production of edible nuts known as hazels or cobnuts.
This species thrives across a wide range of conditions, preferring deeply worked, well-drained soils supplemented with organic matter. Although it is a resilient plant, understanding its need for adequate moisture during establishment is key to maximizing both vegetative growth and nut yield.
The early bloom time, occurring on wood before the leaves emerge, provides some visual interest, particularly the male catkins. For homeowners seeking a relatively low-maintenance screen that provides seasonal interest and potential wildlife benefit, Corylus avellana remains an excellent choice.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Betulaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Native Range: Europe
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 12-20 ft
- Spread: 8-15 ft
- Bloom Time: February to March
- Bloom Description: Yellow brown (male)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best time to establish Corylus avellana is typically in early spring or fall to allow the root system to settle before extreme weather hits, although containerized plants offer flexibility. Ensure the planting location offers moist, organically rich, and reliably well-drained soil. While this Hazelnut tolerates average garden soils, it strongly dislikes heavy clay conditions that impede drainage around the roots.
Water needs are medium; supply supplemental water during prolonged dry periods, especially while the shrub achieves maturity. Maintenance is generally low, but prompt removal of root suckers is necessary maintenance if you wish to control its natural tendency to form thickets or if maintaining a formal shape for use as a hedge.
Propagation can be achieved via suckers dug from the base of an established shrub, through soft wood cuttings taken in early summer, or by planting collected seed. Remember that the straight species nuts are generally less desirable for eating than those found on specialized horticultural cultivars.
Landscape Uses
The adaptability of Corylus avellana makes it suitable for several landscape roles. Its fast growth and dense habit render it an exceptional choice when developing informal screens or practical hedges that offer seasonal screening benefits. Furthermore, it performs well when interplanted in group plantings or along woodland margins where a slightly wilder, thicket-forming texture is desired.
For naturalized areas, planting several Hazelnuts together creates an effective visual mass that requires minimal input once established. While the nuts produced by the straight species are edible, gardeners focused strictly on ornamental value might pair them with later-blooming shrubs that offer richer fall color or different bark textures to compensate for the Hazelnut’s relatively plain autumn foliage.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Corylus avellana, often called European hazelnut, is a multi-trunked, suckering shrub native to Europe, growing up to 20 feet tall. Its distinctive male flowers appear as drooping, pale yellow-gray catkins in late winter before the foliage emerges. This deciduous shrub produces hard, edible brown nuts encased in a leafy husk, which ripen in late August and September.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
The most significant threat to Corylus avellana cultivation, particularly in humid climates, is Eastern filbert blight, a serious fungal disease. Regular scouting for symptoms is crucial, and immediate removal of infected branches may be necessary to save the plant.
Beyond blight, the shrub may occasionally suffer from less severe issues such as black knot, crown gall, or various leaf spots. Insect pests are generally manageable, although Japanese beetles have been known to vigorously attack the foliage during their active season. Maintaining good air circulation via strategic pruning can help mitigate fungal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Hazelnut suitable for?
Corylus avellana is hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8, making it adaptable to a broad area of North America and Europe.
How large does Hazelnut grow?
This deciduous shrub typically reaches a height between 12 and 20 feet, with a corresponding spread of 8 to 15 feet, often developing a multi-trunked, thicket-forming habit.
What sun exposure does Hazelnut need?
For best results, plant Corylus avellana where it will receive full sun, though it tolerates conditions ranging from full sun to part shade.
When does Hazelnut bloom?
The bloom time for this plant is relatively early, occurring from February into March, preceding the emergence of its leaves.
Conclusion
The Hazelnut, Corylus avellana, is a rewarding addition to any landscape that benefits from a robust, low-maintenance screen or a small source of homegrown nuts. Its resilience, coupled with the spectacle of early spring catkins, ensures year-round interest. Before planting, assess your local USDA Hardiness Zone to ensure suitability and plan to manage suckering if you desire a more contained specimen.
Companion Planting
When integrating Corylus avellana into a mixed border or naturalized grouping, consider companions that share its preference for medium moisture and well-drained soil, while offering visual diversity during the summer when the Hazelnut is leafed out. Shrubs like Viburnum species, particularly those that offer late summer blooms or attractive berries, pair well aesthetically and culturally.
For screening purposes, consider underplanting shorter, shade-tolerant perennials near the base, such as Hostas or Hellebores, which can appreciate the partial shade cast by the mature shrub canopy. Avoid placing it near plants highly susceptible to the same fungal pathogens that affect Hazelnut to minimize disease spread risk.
Wildlife Benefits
While the primary focus for many growers is the edible nut, Corylus avellana provides significant benefits to local fauna. The flowers, though inconspicuous to humans, are wind-pollinated and important for early-season foraging activity.
More importantly, the persistent nuts are a crucial food source for many species of squirrels and birds throughout the fall and winter months. Planting this shrub contributes to local biodiversity by providing persistent cover as a thicket-forming species, offering shelter for small birds and animals during inclement weather.
