Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Corylus avellana 'Contorta' stem by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

    Show all photos

    Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

    Also Known As

    • Contorted Filbert
    • Corkscrew Hazel
    • Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
    • Harry Lauder's Walking Stick Contorted Filbert

    Plant type

    tree, shrub

    size

    • H: 6'-10'
    • W: 8'-10'

    planting zones

    • 4a-8b

    More Options

    Corylus avellana 'Contorta' plant details

    Corylus avellana 'Contorta' is a moderate-growing, slow-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and winter chocolate and yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

    Plant type: shrub or tree
    Plant family: betulaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 8 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
    Flowers: chocolate and yellow blooms in spring and winter
    Uses: contorted, hedge, winter interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

    USDA Zones: 4a - 8b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The curiously twisted and spiraling branches of this unusual shrub make it one of the few plants that is perhaps more interesting in winter than at any other time, the corkscrew twigs also offer a picturesque background for its beautiful, yellow, pendulous catkins in early spring; slow-growing to 6-10' and especially effective near a wall where it's form can really standout, also agreeable in a container or as an unusual hedge. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Deciduous, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub with twisted and contorted branches, stems, and leaves. Has both male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers are yellowish-brown catkins and appear in early spring. Female flowers are not showy. Foliage is green throughout the season and turns yellow in the fall. This cultivar typically does not produce nuts. Since this is a grafted plant, trim back any root suckers, as they won't have the contorted form. Great specimen for your garden, with year round interest! Growth Rate medium

    By: Garden World

    Twisted & contorted branches give year around interest. Catkins appear in winter for special interest. Slow growing to 5-6? in ten years. Old plants may be 8-12? tall, but larger plants are known. Awards: Award of Merit and Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

    By: Fantastic Plants

    Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, also known as Corylus Contorta, is a unique deciduous shrub with interesting gnarled and twisted branches. Yellow fall color; with greenish-yellow catkins. Does well in large containers. Full sun. Slow growing. Grown on its own roots so it will not produce suckers common from the understock of grafted plants. Excellent choice for gardeners looking for a tough, easy care plant that can take extremes of heat and cold. Good choice for accent in large shrub beds, or use as specimen. Its slow growth rate lends itself to good container use

    By: Oregon Grown Tree Farm

    Naturally twisted branches and leaves, catkins late winter. Good container plant. Zones 4-8.

    By: Lael's Moon Garden

    Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. Contorted filbert is a stunning specimen in winter and early spring when the catkins hang. Tree to 15' Zone 4.

    By: Whitman Farms

    Twisted spiraling branches, twigs, and leaves. Has separate male and female flowers (monecious) on the same plant. Yellow leaves in the fall, and amazing winter interest from the contorted branches and wonderful when the pendulous catkins appear in spring on the twisted stems. Slow growth. Very hardy. Species native to Europe.

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    Gardening facts about Corylus avellana 'Contorta' plant

    How to Grow Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • yellow
      • chocolate

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • winter

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Corylus for your garden

    Corylus avellana 'Lewis'

    aka Lewis Hazelnut or Filbert

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Fruit / Vegetable

    Zones

    5a-8b

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 10'-15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Corylus avellana 'Lewis' foliage by Forestfarm
    View Plant

    Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic'

    aka Corylus 'Red Majestic', Corylus avellana Red Majestic®, Filbert, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, Hazelnut, Red Majestic Red Leaf Contorted Filbert

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6'-12'

    Width: 6'-12'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic' foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    Corylus avellana 'Rote Zellernuss'

    aka Corylus avellana 'Rote Zeller', Corylus avellana 'Rotezellar', Corylus maxima 'Rote Zeller', Redleaf Filbert, Rote Zeller Filbert, Rote Zeller Hazelnut, Rotezellar Redleaf Hazelnut

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12'-20'

    Width: 12'-20'

    • sun - shade
    • regular
    Photo of Corylus avellana 'Rote Zellernuss' foliage, form by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    Corylus avellana 'Hall's Giant'

    aka Hail's Giant European Filbert, Hail's Giant Filbert, Halls Giant Hazelnut

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Fruit / Vegetable

    Zones

    4a-8b

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 10'-15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Corylus avellana 'Hall's Giant' catkins by Forestfarm
    View Plant

    More Options

    Corylus avellana 'Jefferson'

    aka Jefferson Filbert, Jefferson Hazelnut

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Fruit / Vegetable

    Zones

    5a-8b

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Corylus avellana 'Jefferson' foliage by Forestfarm
    View Plant

    More Options

    +26 more Corylus
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved