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

Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 2 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

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 growth, 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.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

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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posted by DRae03
7/16/2010
Region: Northeast
Zone: 4

I purchase this tree last year, it is doing very well, winter time is especially cool, to be able to see the twisted limbs, especially with snow on them. Summer time the tree is fully covered with bright green leaves. I am excited to see it when it is 10 or 15 feet tall!

posted by Cardimom
3/27/2008
Region: Southeast
Zone: 7

I love this plant! Initially I purchased it for winter interest with its contorted growth habit. As it grew and matured, I found the catkins equally interesting. I located one plant between our house and the neighbor's house, using their unadorned white siding as an excellent backdrop to view the twisted branches. I place the other plant so that I could easily see it as I entered and left the house. Over about 15 years each has grown taller than 5 feet, and almost as wide.

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