Corylus americana (American Hazelnut)
American Hazelnut, American Filbert, Corylus americana var. indehiscens
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 stigma and styles are clustered at the ends of short branches. They are followed by small, egg-shaped, edible nuts enclosed 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. Can grow in full shade, however, growth and nut production will be reduced.
- 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. Keep an eye out for scale, leafhoppers, leaf spots, 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.
Buy Corylus americana (American Hazelnut)
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10' – 15' (3m – 4.5m) |
Spread | 8' – 12' (240cm – 3.6m) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Cultivar413, Superior National Forest, Cranbrook Science, Flickr, Kylbabka, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10' – 15' (3m – 4.5m) |
Spread | 8' – 12' (240cm – 3.6m) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |