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Corylus avellana 'Contorta' (Harry Lauder’s walking stick, Corkscrew hazel)

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Corylus avellana 'Contorta' KOR-ih-lus av-el-AY-nah Common Name: Harry Lauder’s walking stick, Corkscrew hazel Genus: Corylus
This upright, tree-like shrub has heart-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves. Pendent yellow catkins are borne in late winter and early spring. Strongly twisted, spiraling shoots provide year-round interest.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Excellent specimen tree. Use shoots in floral arrangements. If possible, purchase trees grown on their own roots to avoid rootstock suckers. A newer cultivar, 'Red Majestic', bears burgundy colored new gorwth, so it has greater summer appeal. 
 Care: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Ideal for alkaline soils. Prune out unwanted suckers, which can be abundant.
 Propagation: Layer in autumn; graft in winter.
 Problems: Powdery mildew, blight, canker, dieback, mushroom root rot, fungal spots, Gymnosporangium rust, bud mites, tent caterpillars, and webworms.
Height 10 ft. to 15 ft.
Spread 10 ft. to 15 ft.
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Bloom Time Early Spring; Spring; Winter
Flower Color Yellow Flower
Uses Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Style Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Fall Interest
Type Trees

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