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Key characteristics

Family: Betulaceae
Height: 8 to 10 feet
Width: 8 to 10 feet
Flower color: Yellow brown drooping catkins on male plants with small red female flowers
Foliage color: Medium green broadly rounded leaves often turning yellow in fall
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Average
Maintenance: Moderate; remove straight suckering shoots from the base to maintain the contorted branching structure and prune lightly in late winter if shaping is needed
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8
Wildlife: Bees that collect pollen from catkins and birds and small mammals that feed on the nuts

Shrubs

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' produces long, pendulous yellow catkins in late winter to early spring, hanging prominently from bare branches before the foliage emerges. Broad, heart-shaped green leaves have toothed margins and an irregularly curled, crumpled appearance, turning yellow in autumn before falling. Twisted stems and spiraling branches create an intricate sculptural framework that becomes especially prominent during winter, providing exceptional interest throughout the dormant season.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Average

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Specimen Plants
Winter Interest
Wildlife Gardens

Companion plants

Hebe · Flowering quince · Crocus · Matilija poppy · Mallow · Sweet William

Design tip

Twisting branches give this shrub its strongest visual character once the leaves have fallen, transforming the bare framework into winter sculpture. An open position near a path or patio allows the intricate branching and dangling catkins to be appreciated up close during the quieter months.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)