Hazel 'Contorta'is a variety of common hazel, a species commonly found in our country. In gardens, hazel is grown mainly for its tasty and he althy fruit - hazelnuts. Recently, however, decorative varieties of hazel have been gaining more and more popularity, such as the 'Contorta' with fabulously twisted shoots and magnificent, dangling inflorescences. This variety also bears fruit, but it does not impress with its yield, and its suitability for planting in gardens is mainly determined by its decorative qualities. It is perfect for smaller home gardens due to its limited growth (the plant reaches 3 - 4 m in height).
Hazel (Corylus avellana) 'Contorta'
Hazel 'Contorta' - decorative value
Common Hazel (Corylus avellana) 'Contorta ' was discovered in Great Britain in the second half of the 19th century. It is loved not only by gardeners but also florists, thanks to its fancifully, even fabulously twisted shoots resembling a corkscrew. When cut, they are a perfect decoration in flower bouquets, and in the garden they reveal their beauty in winter, when there are no leaves on the trees and bent shoots can be seen in all their glory.
The leaves of this type of hazel are also curled in an interesting way, covered with soft hairs on the underside, green. Already at the end of winter, before the leaves appear on the bush, the uniquedecoration of hazel 'Contorta'consists of flowers gathered in long yellow cats hanging from the tops of the side shoots. They are male flowers. The female flowers are quite inconspicuous, hidden in the buds, showing only red stigmas of the pistils during flowering.We can admire this amazing spectacle consisting of fairy-tale twisted shoots and curiously hanging yellow flowers from February to March, which is a period when most garden plants do not attract our eyes.
Hazel 'Contorta' - cultivation, requirements
Hazel 'Contorta'soil requirements are not excessive. It can be planted in most garden soils, as long as they are not extremely barren, dry or waterlogged. In order to provide it with ideal growth conditions, it is worth trying to get fertile soil, moderately moist, rich in calcium. The plant will cope with any location, however, it blooms most beautifully and profusely in sunny to slightly semi-shaded locations. Although it is frost-resistant enough, during extremely severe winters, cats that develop in autumn can freeze.
Common Hazel 'Contorta'should be planted in a well-exposed place in the garden, for example on the lawn, where it will show its full beauty and allow you to admire the extraordinary crown made of twisted shoots.In winter, and especially at its end, when it blooms, it will be a strong accent in the garden. The most interesting are those grafted on a rootstock, which grow in the form of small trees.
Important care procedures incultivation of grafted forms of hazelnut 'Contorta'are cutting out twigs growing out of the rootstock. Plants also need to be protected against hazel pests such as aphids and spider mites.
