Corylus maxima 'Purpurea', purple‑leaf filbert
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Deciduous Shrubs

Corylus maxima 'Purpurea'

purple‑leaf filbert

Betulaceae

Species native to southeastern Europe and Turkey; cultivar of garden selection

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height10-15 feet (3-4.5 m)
Width8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
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
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Corylus maxima 'Purpurea' (purple-leaf filbert, purple giant hazel) is a large deciduous shrub grown for its dramatic deep purple to near-black foliage — one of the most intensely colored large-leaved purple-foliage shrubs available for PNW gardens. It reaches 10–15 feet (3–4.5 m) tall and 8–12 feet (2.4–3.6 m) wide in a multi-stemmed, broadly upright form. The large, broadly ovate leaves 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) across emerge deep burgundy-purple in spring, remain richly colored through summer — holding color better in the Pacific Northwest's cool temperatures than in hot-summer climates — and occasionally show reddish-purple fall color before dropping. In January through February, slender pendulous catkins 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm) long hang from the bare branches; unlike the plain yellow catkins of most hazels, those of 'Purpurea' are tinged with purple, adding a winter ornamental dimension. Large, edible hazelnuts in elongated husks (longer than those of C. avellana) ripen in August through September and are good to eat. Corylus maxima (filbert) is native to southeastern Europe and Turkey and is larger in all parts than the common European hazel C. avellana. Commercially sold 'Purpurea' plants are often grafted onto straight rootstock — watch for vigorous green-leaved shoots emerging from the base (rootstock suckers) and remove them immediately. Some plants are grown on their own roots and sucker less problematically.

Native Range

Corylus maxima is native to southeastern Europe and Turkey. 'Purpurea' is a cultivar selected for deep purple foliage, long in cultivation in European gardens.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a large specimen for dramatic deep purple foliage effect through summer — one of the most intensely colored large shrubs for PNW gardens. Effective as a bold backdrop for silver, chartreuse, or pale-flowered perennials and shrubs where the dark foliage provides maximum contrast. The combination of early purple-tinged catkins (January–February), summer dark foliage, and large edible hazelnuts (August–September) provides three seasons of interest. Useful as a large informal screen or hedge. The annual catkins in January are an early pollinator resource. Edible nut crop is a bonus — harvest before squirrels take them.

How to Identify

Identified by large, broadly ovate leaves 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) across with doubly serrate margins and deep purple to near-black coloration throughout the growing season — one of the darkest-leaved large shrubs. In January through February, pendulous catkins tinged purple hang from bare branches. Large hazelnuts in elongated husks (longer than C. avellana) ripen in late summer. On grafted plants, watch for vigorous green-leaved shoots at the base — rootstock suckers that must be removed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 15'
Width/Spread8' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple
yellow
red

Foliage Colors

purple

Fall Foliage Colors

red
purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Purple-tinged pendulous catkins 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm) long appear in January through February on bare stems — an early-season ornamental feature with subtle distinction from the plain yellow catkins of most hazels. Large edible hazelnuts in elongated husks ripen in August through September, attracting squirrels and other wildlife.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

purple-tinged yellow (pendulous catkins); tiny red female flowers

Foliage Description

deep burgundy-purple to near-black throughout summer; reddish-purple in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaychalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-12 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun for best foliage color — part shade reduces the depth and saturation of the purple coloration. Grows in average to moderately fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogged conditions. Foliage color is best in cool to moderate summer temperatures, making the PNW an excellent climate for this cultivar. Remove rootstock suckers (vigorous green-leaved shoots at the base) immediately upon appearance — trace to origin and remove at the point of attachment. Eastern filbert blight (Anisogramma anomala) is a serious disease of filbert in PNW conditions: watch for elongated orange cankers on stems, which girdle and kill branches. Prune out affected wood 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below visible infection with sterilized tools. Commercial hazelnut orchards in the Willamette Valley use resistant varieties — ornamental plants have moderate to high susceptibility.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February through March) to remove dead, diseased, or crowded stems at the base. Remove rootstock suckers at their origin whenever they appear. For eastern filbert blight cankers, prune 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below visible symptoms with sterilized tools between cuts. Hard coppicing — cutting all stems to 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) — can be done every 3–5 years to stimulate large, bold new foliage on vigorous new growth; coppiced stems produce the largest leaves with the deepest color but at the expense of catkins and nuts that season.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic