Corylus americana (American Hazelnut)

Providing multi-season interest, Corylus americana (American Hazelnut) is a dense, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub bearing alternate, ovate, dark green leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm), with doubly serrate margins. The foliage turns attractive shades of orange, rose, burgundy, and yellow in the fall. In late winter and early spring, pendant, pale yellow-brown male catkins, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), dangle like Christmas decorations along the bare branches. They are a welcome sight in the winter garden. The catkins release clouds of pollen that attract bees and other insects. Inconspicuous female catkins with protruding bright red stigmas and styles are clustered at the ends of short branches. They are followed by small, egg-shaped, edible nuts in leafy, hairy, ragged papery husks. Ripening in late summer and early fall, the nuts are similar in flavor to the commercially cultivated European filbert. Birds, wildlife, and humans feast on them. American Hazelnut’s rhizomatous habit generally produces thickets in the absence of disturbance. This suckering shrub is effective in naturalistic areas, open woodland gardens, or prairies where it can be allowed to spread. It can also be used as an edible hedge or screen.

• Grows up to 10-15 ft. tall (300-450 cm) and 8-12 ft. wide (240-360 cm). Prompt removal of root suckers will help prevent thicket formation.
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in average, moist to dry, well-drained soils. Tolerates clay soils. It can grow in full shade. However, growth and nut production will be reduced.
• It is a good choice for wildlife gardens, open woodland gardens, prairies, and meadows, as a screen, or for the back of shrub borders.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Look for scale, leafhoppers, leaf spot, blight, and crown gall.
• Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings.
• Native to the eastern and central United States and extreme southern parts of eastern and central Canada.