Common Hazel
Corylus avellana
Also listed as Corylus sylvestris
Also known as Hazel, Hazelnut, European Hazel
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its edible hazelnuts and ornamental catkins that appear in late winter. It grows into a rounded, multi-stemmed form and is relatively low-maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Common hazel offers reliable nut production in temperate climates with less finicky pollination requirements than many grafted hazelnut varieties, and its early catkins provide late-winter visual interest when few other woody plants are flowering. It tolerates a wider range of soil and light conditions than specialized nut cultivars, making it a practical choice for establishing productive hedgerows or woodland edges without intensive site preparation.
Watch out for
Hazel can spread vigorously by basal sprouting and root suckers if coppiced or damaged, requiring regular attention to prevent thickets from overrunning adjacent plantings. Heavy nut crops may attract squirrels and jays that cache nuts in nearby beds, and fallen catkins can create dense mats on the ground that slow spring growth of understory plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Betulaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Contorta' (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick) is grown for its dramatic twisted stems; 'Barcelona' and 'Ennis' are commercial nut cultivars known for large, quality kernel production.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its edible hazelnuts and ornamental catkins that appear in late winter. It grows into a rounded, multi-stemmed form and is relatively low-maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Hazel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common hazel offers reliable nut production in temperate climates with less finicky pollination requirements than many grafted hazelnut varieties, and its early catkins provide late-winter visual interest when few other woody plants are flowering. It tolerates a wider range of soil and light conditions than specialized nut cultivars, making it a practical choice for establishing productive hedgerows or woodland edges without intensive site preparation.
Watch out for
Hazel can spread vigorously by basal sprouting and root suckers if coppiced or damaged, requiring regular attention to prevent thickets from overrunning adjacent plantings. Heavy nut crops may attract squirrels and jays that cache nuts in nearby beds, and fallen catkins can create dense mats on the ground that slow spring growth of understory plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Betulaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
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Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Contorta' (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick) is grown for its dramatic twisted stems; 'Barcelona' and 'Ennis' are commercial nut cultivars known for large, quality kernel production.