Corylus avellana Contorta - Common Hazel

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' is a very curious but very attractive form of wild hazel bush. It is called the twisted hazel because of its unusual dark, sinuous and interlaced branches. In February-March, its bare branches are adorned with pendant yellow male catkins that sway in the slightest breeze. Then its foliage appears, also unusual, more curled and coiled than that of the common hazel. Don't count on 'Contorta' to offer you a good harvest of hazelnuts; they are rare! 

Corylus avellana belongs to the Betulaceae family, just like birch. It is a small monoecious fruit tree, bearing on the same individual male inflorescences distinct from female inflorescences. The common hazel is a species of light and rather neutral, fairly fertile soil that is not too dry.

'Contorta' was discovered around 1863 in England in a garden hedge. It differs from the common hazel by a slower growth, a slightly smaller development and its very twisted branches. The bush develops one or more equally twisted trunks, topped by a dense and rounded crown. At the age of 10, it will reach about 3 m (9.8 ft) in height by 2 m (6.6 ft) in width. It will not exceed 5 m (16.4 ft) in height and can live for about 60 years. Its young, hairy branches are green in colour, opening from a light brown bark that becomes very dark over time. Flowering takes place in two stages: in February-March, pendant yellow male catkins appear, 5 cm (2 in) long, and popular with bees. In March-April, subtle female flowers bloom. They have the shape of a bud, 6 mm to 8mm (0.2 in to 0.3 in), partially concealing bright red stigmas. Foliage appears late in May. Very dense, it gives the plant its bushy appearance. The leaves are rounded in shape, strongly veined, slightly crisped and curled, and measure 6 cm to 10cm (2.4 in to 3.9 in) long. The rare fruits that form on 1-year-old shoots in older subjects are achenes called hazelnuts. They are white and then turn reddish-brown when ripe. Grouped in 1 to 4, they measure 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, and ripen in late August or early September.

This twisted hazel will delight lovers of unique plants. Easy to grow in ordinary soil, it is not recommended in too arid situations. It is obviously magnificent planted as a solitary specimen, especially in winter when its unique silhouette appears against a leaden sky. It could also be planted in a sunny spot in a Japanese-style garden. Cultivating it in a large container, on a terrace or balcony, is also possible. Amateur gardeners of curiosities can also adopt, in a large garden, the unique Robinia pseudoacacia 'Tortuosa'.