Corylus avellana 'Contorta', Harry Lauder's walking stick
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Deciduous Shrubs

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Harry Lauder's walking stick

Betulaceae

Species native to Europe and western Asia; cultivar discovered in England c. 1863

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-10 feet (2.4-3 m)
Width8-10 feet (2.4-3 m)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' (Harry Lauder's walking stick, corkscrew hazel, contorted filbert) is a deciduous shrub grown entirely for its bizarre and spectacular winter architecture — every stem, branch, and twig twists, spirals, corkscrews, and zigzags in random directions, creating a living sculpture of extraordinary character. It reaches 8–10 feet (2.4–3 m) tall and 8–10 feet (2.4–3 m) wide over many decades, growing slowly. The contorted form is a natural mutation of the common European hazel (Corylus avellana) discovered in England around 1863. In January through February, long pendulous yellow male catkins 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) drape from every twisted twig — a striking effect as they hang and sway from the contorted framework in late winter. The leaves are also somewhat crinkled and contorted but are not the primary attraction and create a rather crowded, cluttered summer appearance. The plant is most impressive in winter when bare, and many gardeners appreciate it most from November through March. Critical cultivation note: commercially sold plants are almost always grafted onto straight Corylus avellana rootstock. Vigorous upright straight suckers from the rootstock must be removed at their point of origin immediately upon appearance — if ignored, the straight rootstock will outgrow and eventually replace the contorted grafted portion entirely.

Native Range

Corylus avellana is native to Europe and western Asia. The 'Contorta' mutation was first found as a sport near Frocester, Gloucestershire, England, around 1863.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen of extreme winter architectural interest — best sited where the bare contorted framework can be fully appreciated from November through March against a simple background: sky, lawn, or a plain wall. The late winter catkin display adds a second ornamental dimension. Less effective in summer when the crinkled foliage creates a somewhat cluttered appearance. Most impactful when underplanted with a simple groundcover that does not compete visually. Combines well with early bulbs (snowdrops, crocus) which emerge at the same time as the catkins.

How to Identify

Unmistakable in winter: every stem and twig twists, spirals, and zigzags in random directions — no other common ornamental shrub has this character. Long pendulous yellow male catkins 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) hang from the twisted framework in January through February. Leaves in summer are broadly ovate, doubly serrated, slightly crinkled, with a rough texture — similar to hazel but somewhat contorted. Critically: look for vigorous, straight, non-contorted shoots emerging from the base — these are rootstock suckers and must be removed. Purchased plants without any sucker growth are authentically contorted.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 10'
Width/Spread8' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow
red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Long pendulous yellow male catkins 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) appear in January through February on the bare, twisted branches — one of the earliest catkin displays of the new year. Tiny red female flowers appear simultaneously on the same plant but are inconspicuous. Occasional small hazelnut clusters may develop by fall on grafted specimens, though nuts are rarely the primary reason for growing this cultivar.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow (pendulous male catkins); tiny red female flowers

Foliage Description

medium green, slightly crinkled in summer; yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaychalksand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in average, well-drained soil. Adaptable to a range of soil types and pH. No special soil requirements — genuinely easy once established. The one critical maintenance requirement is immediate removal of all vigorous straight shoots emerging from the base or ground level — these are rootstock suckers from the straight Corylus avellana understock and will outcompete the contorted grafted portion if allowed to grow. Check twice yearly (spring and summer) and remove suckers by tracing them to their origin and pulling or cutting at the union point. Never allow a straight sucker to remain — it grows far more vigorously than the grafted portion and will take over. Established plants are drought-tolerant. Eastern filbert blight (Anisogramma anomala) can affect hazel in wet PNW conditions — watch for elongated cankers on stems; prune out affected wood promptly.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed beyond sucker removal. Remove any dead or diseased branches in late winter. The natural contorted form should not be shaped or thinned — the complex, dense tangle of twisted branches is the entire point. If eastern filbert blight cankers appear, prune 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below the discolored area with sterilized tools. Remove rootstock suckers throughout the growing season at their point of origin.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic