Corylus cornuta (Beaked Hazelnut)

Corylus cornuta (Beaked Hazelnut) is a dense, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with ascending branches. The foliage of rounded oval, fuzzy, doubly serrate, bright green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), turns bright yellow in fall. In late winter, long, pendant, pale yellow-gray male catkins 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 flowers with protruding bright red stigmas and styles are clustered at the ends of short branches. They are followed by edible brown nuts enclosed in leafy, hairy, green husks. The husk is extended, forming a long, tubular beak shape, hence the common name. The nuts ripen in late summer and early fall. They were a food source for Native Americans. Birds and wildlife, including squirrels, deer, grouse, and pheasant feast on them. Beaked hazelnut’s rhizomatous habit generally produces thickets that form a continuous understory in the absence of disturbance. This suckering shrub is effective in naturalistic areas, group plantings, shrub borders, or woodland margins.

• Grows up to 4-12 ft. tall and wide (120-360 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, acidic to neutral, moist to dry, well-drained soils.
• Good choice for wildlife gardens or prairies and meadows.
• Prune in late winter or early spring before the leaves begin to appear on the stems.
• Propagate by seed.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Native to southern Canada and the United States. It occurs from British Columbia east to Newfoundland and south to California, Colorado, Mississippi, and South Carolina.