Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ (Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick)

Noted for its beautifully contorted and twisted branches, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ (Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick) is a deciduous shrub of great beauty. In late winter and early spring, long, pendant, golden-yellow catkins dangle like Christmas decorations from the lively, brown-barked shoots that curl and spiral in all directions. In summer, broadly ovate, crisp-textured, mid-green leaves appear from every angle of the stems. This multi-stemmed, suckering shrub is useful for winter flower arrangements and makes a great conversation piece!

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 8-10 ft. high and wide (240-300 cm). Prompt removal of root suckers will help maintain plant appearance, and prevent thicket formation.
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils.
• Looks spectacular as a centerpiece in a winter garden. Great choice for hedges or screens, along sidewalks where its beautiful silhouette can be admired, or in shrub borders. May be grown in containers too.
• Pruning should be kept to a minimum to preserve the picturesque habit of this shrub. Remove diseased, damaged or crossing shoots in late winter or early spring.
• Propagate by grafting
• Generally disease free. Watch for caterpillars, gall mites, aphids and sawflies.
• Native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa