Corylus avellana Contorta is also known as Harry Lauders Walking Sticks or Corkscrew Hazel
This is a slow growing deciduous shrub that can grow to 20′ high when mature.
Yellow catkins droop from bare twisted stems in February before small green leaves appear. I have never collected any nuts from my tree. Propagation is best done by layering branches.
Corkscrew Hazel has a distinctive appearance with curious, twisted branches but occasionally throws upright succors. I have just pruned out my succors from the graft. I got 10 long straight poles of hazel to use as supports.
The shrub is very hardy and easy to grow. I was given mine from a neighbor about 10 years ago. ‘Contorta’ has earned an RHS Award of Garden Merit
A superb feature for winter borders, woodland areas and oriental planting schemes.
Corkscrew Hazel looks best in winter and from February-March there are pendant male catkins on the bare branches.
When in leaf the mid green leaves show an ugly deformed appearance.
