Corylus, Corkscrew Hazel, Contorted Filbert, Contorted Hazelnut, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick 'Contorta'

Corylusavellana

Family
Betulaceae (beh-tyoo-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Corylus (KOR-ih-lus)
Species
avellana (av-el-AY-nuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Provides Winter Interest
Velvet/Fuzzy
Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Brown/Bronze
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Orange/Apricot
Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By grafting
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Florence, Alabama

Headland, Alabama

Smiths, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Berkeley, California

Modesto, California

Montecito, California

NORTH FORK, California

Napa, California

Sacramento, California

San Anselmo, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Madison, Connecticut

Middlefield, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Ridgefield, Connecticut

West Haven, Connecticut

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Wilmington, Delaware

Atlanta, Georgia

Rathdrum, Idaho

Chicago, Illinois

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Machesney Park, Illinois

Mapleton, Illinois

Minooka, Illinois

Spring Grove, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Crown Point, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

South Bend, Indiana

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Nichols, Iowa

Andover, Kansas

Oskaloosa, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Farmington, Kentucky

Greenup, Kentucky

Pleasureville, Kentucky

Shelbyville, Kentucky

Brunswick, Maine

Damascus, Maryland

Gwynn Oak, Maryland

Silver Spring, Maryland

Acton, Massachusetts

Sudbury, Massachusetts

Worcester, Massachusetts

Allegan, Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Blissfield, Michigan

Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Lake, Michigan

Lansing, Michigan

New Baltimore, Michigan

Saint Clair Shores, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota(2 reports)

Independence, Missouri

Saint Louis, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri

Wentzville, Missouri

Omaha, Nebraska

Reno, Nevada

Conway, New Hampshire

Allentown, New Jersey

Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey

Chatham, New York

Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Monroe, North Carolina

Akron, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio(2 reports)

Cleveland, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio

Haviland, Ohio

Millersburg, Ohio

West Chester, Ohio

Westerville, Ohio

Enid, Oklahoma

, Ontario

Lebanon, Oregon

Medford, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Roseburg, Oregon

Salem, Oregon

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Homestead, Pennsylvania

Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania(2 reports)

Port Matilda, Pennsylvania

Reading, Pennsylvania

Schwenksville, Pennsylvania

Conway, South Carolina

North Augusta, South Carolina

Arlington, Tennessee

Brownsville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Alvin, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Mc Kinney, Texas

Spring, Texas

Farmington, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah(2 reports)

Alexandria, Virginia

Falls Church, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

Lorton, Virginia

Nokesville, Virginia

Bay Center, Washington

Bremerton, Washington

Cathan, Washington

Concrete, Washington

John Sam Lake, Washington

North Marysville, Washington

Oroville, Washington

Port Angeles, Washington

Port Angeles East, Washington

Priest Point, Washington

Seattle, Washington(4 reports)

Shaker Church, Washington

Stanwood, Washington

Stimson Crossing, Washington

Weallup Lake, Washington

Yakima, Washington

Altoona, Wisconsin

Hartland, Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ripon, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

33
positives
15
neutrals
7
negatives
Sort By:
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S
Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b) | June 2019 | neutral

D
| February 2017 | positive

I have one in my front yard which has north and east exposure. It is doing very well in Trail BC Canada. The only maintenance I give it ...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | January 2015 | neutral

The leafless twisted branches are dramatic in the winter, and even more beautiful in early spring when the long catkins hang from the twi...Read More

W
Petersburg, VA | September 2014 | positive

I planted my contorted filbert in a partially shady area in my front yard (Petersburg, Virginia, Zone 7A) at least five years ago. It is...Read More

E
Wethersfield, CT | August 2014 | neutral

I had three days to move a large gift HLWS (5' tall and 5' wide). It has a lot of Japanese beetle damage and it suffered significant dryi...Read More

A
| September 2013 | positive

I have a 10 year old corkscrew hazel on a standard which is now 8-10 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. We are redoing our deck, so I'd ...Read More

B
Kure Beach, NC (Zone 9a) | August 2013 | neutral

I've tried to grow this plant for the six years and am finally giving up. At first it was in a pot, then I found a place for it on the Ea...Read More

B
Brunswick, ME | April 2013 | positive

Gorgeous structure, but NEVER gets any catkins. It is pretty old and 8 by 8 feet tall and wide. I have not fertilized it as it appears to...Read More

D
West Valley City, UT (Zone 6b) | April 2013 | positive

I bought mine mail-order from Spring Hill in 2000 and it's as happy as a clam at high tide.

It's on the north side of my h...Read More

L
SeaTac, WA (Zone 8a) | April 2013 | negative

I bought this plant from a nursery in Gig Harbor, Wa. and it ended up being infected with Eastern Filbert Blight, which showed up a few m...Read More

C
Bethlehem, PA | April 2013 | negative

Several Harry Lauders in my neighborhood, including mine, have succumbed to the blight. The one that has not is the only one to be getti...Read More

G
Scappose, OR (Zone 8a) | December 2012 | neutral

I to love this plant, but lost my gorgeous Harry Lauder's Walking Stick to Eastern Filbert Blight two years. I have spoken to a few other...Read More

O
Enid, OK (Zone 7a) | September 2012 | neutral

I've ordered one of these shrubs and I'm excited about growing it. I've seen it grown by friends here in Enid, Oklahoma. We get very ha...Read More

S
spring, TX (Zone 9b) | January 2012 | positive

Neem, Neem, Neem! For those of you that know what this fungicide/insecticide is, use it once or twice a week. Harry absolutely thrives...Read More

G
| May 2011 | negative

I too have this plant. It has been a staple specimen in my garden since 2006. The corkscrew hazel has flourished until now and is 6' by...Read More

S
S
Warsaw, IN | May 2011 | negative

I got my Contorted Filbert at Lowe's in 2008. Late last spring (2010) I noticed that the new leaves that had come on were dying. I did ...Read More

D
Greenup, KY | April 2011 | positive

Got my little Harry at Lowes distress sale for 10 bucks last summer. What's funny is, it was really not all that distressed, they just lo...Read More

H
H
Seattle, WA | September 2010 | positive

I love my contorta & have been enjoying it's growth for over 15 years. I am moving & I transplanted it in my new garden. IT is sufferin...Read More

A
A
Lake, MI | March 2010 | positive

I got my tree at Wal-Mart in 2004. I loved the shape of it.
We moved and I took it with me. I have it planted next to the driveway...Read More

J
Phoenix, AZ | March 2010 | neutral

We have had two Harry Lauders for about three years in northern Arizona. They just sit there. They seem healthy, produce a few leaves, ne...Read More

E
San Francisco, CA | March 2010 | positive

Wonderful plant for a special showplace in your garden or also does very well in a large container here. Re the comment about not bearin...Read More

M
Allegan, MI | March 2010 | positive

We have had our contorted filbert for almost three years now. (Allegan, Michigan ~zone 5b or 6a) I have also loved them from the first t...Read More

B
spokane valley, WA (Zone 5a) | March 2010 | positive

A choice tree for landscape, container or bonsai, provided it is on its own roots and not grafted. On grafted trees the suckers take ove...Read More

P
Charlotte, NC (Zone 7b) | March 2010 | neutral

I found a specimen at a local Lowes Garden center for ten bucks! It has adapted well but my puppy recently took a liking to it and decide...Read More

E
Newfield, NY | March 2010 | neutral

The first time I remember seeing Harry Lauder's Walking Stick was on the UK campus in Lexington in 1970. The plant always intrigued me. ...Read More

B
Cedarhome, WA (Zone 8b) | March 2010 | positive

Very cool plant. I have it in a planter on my back deck, hoping that its slow growth habit will allow it to remain there for several yea...Read More

B
Tonasket, WA | December 2009 | positive

I moved away from my "tortured hazlenut" five years ago. I still miss it. It was at least 8x6 and very full. I had a professional nur...Read More

K
Johnstown, PA | October 2009 | neutral

i would like to know the correct way to start a tree from the acorn.

E
(Clint) Medina, TN (Zone 7b) | July 2009 | positive

I have had no problems with these at all. They are beautiful and easily propagated via air layering.

B
Redding, CT | May 2009 | neutral

I am new to this site so I appologize if I am not in the right area. We just purchased this plant and we love the look. It has only bee...Read More

I
I
boone, NC (Zone 5b) | March 2009 | negative

I have always loved this tree and have (had) an older specimen here in the North Carolina Mountains. The Eastern Filbert blight took it ...Read More

C
Silver Spring, MD | October 2008 | positive

We love Filbert, but the beetles do, too. He looks a little sickly and we don't know if it's entirely the work of the beetles, or if that...Read More

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T
Sparta, NJ | July 2008 | neutral

We were wandering around our favorite nursery early this spring when we came across this most interesting plant. We bought our 'own-root...Read More

D
NORTH CENTRAL, PA (Zone 5a) | March 2008 | negative

Eastern Filbert Blight has made it impossible to grow this plant in North Central, Pennsylvania. The host of the blight is the Native Fi...Read More

S
S
Roseburg, OR | October 2007 | positive

We bought a home that has a Corkscrew Hazel in the front yard right in front of our main window. We absolutely love this tree. We had n...Read More

L
Lorton, VA | July 2007 | positive

I absolutely love it ! I prefer native plants and love character in the front garden. My local nursery recommended this in 1997 as a tr...Read More

A
A
| April 2007 | positive

We purchased this beautiful shrub in 2005 when it was about 4 feet high and wide. It is over 6 feet high and more than 6 feet wide 2 yea...Read More

F
(Zone 8a) | July 2006 | positive

Our tree is fantastic - we've had it around 3 years, and this year it's covered with nuts. I don't prune it and it looks after itself, mo...Read More

S
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | June 2006 | positive

If your a bit of a nut (no pun intended) for contorted plants then this is the one that takes the cake. I'm working on a whole contorted...Read More

J
Medford, OR | March 2006 | positive

We just bought our Harry last summer and we are loving it every season. It especially looks neat in the winter, covered in snow.

B
Nichols, IA (Zone 5a) | March 2006 | positive

My only problem are rabbits chewing the lower branches off. I put chicken wire around it for a few years till I had branches to spare. It...Read More

K
Northwest, OH (Zone 5b) | September 2005 | positive

I have two of these, one on the west side, where it gets hot afternoon sun, and one on the east side, with morning sun. We've had them f...Read More

M
Cincinnati, OH | July 2005 | positive

Harry is about 4 years old now and is over five feet in height. Very healthy and full. Gets catkins, but no nuts. Has lots of leaves,...Read More

D
Hartford, CT (Zone 5a) | July 2005 | neutral

I planted mine in April 2005 and it settled in fine even though we had some periods of very dry weather. I just discovered that Japanese...Read More

V
V
Battle Creek, MI (Zone 6a) | July 2005 | positive

I started this tree about 15 years ago and it has done very good . Its in the north side of my home where the soil is moist. Its size now...Read More

G
Massapequa Park, NY | May 2005 | positive

I bought it 3 years ago, and it is now 5 ft tall and 6 ft wide. Some suckers grow each year. I too get catkins, but no fruit. No pests or...Read More

T
Westerville, OH | March 2005 | positive

I have a lovely specimen in my front yard. I wasn't sure what it was until researching it tonight, but whomever did our landscaping did a...Read More

C
Fayetteville, AR (Zone 6b) | September 2004 | neutral

It is now Sept. 12, and my contorted filbert that I planted in late July is blooming? That can't be right.

C
Marysville, WA | August 2004 | positive

I first saw the contorted filbert tree while visiting my brother in Yakima, WA about 10 years ago. My husband & I purchased ours shortly...Read More

K
K
Mentor, OH | July 2004 | negative

I noticed some sickly large specimens here in Northeastern Ohio, so I did a search and found that it is now outlawed for sale in Oregon b...Read More

B
B
Indiana, PA | July 2004 | positive

Has been a very intersting plant to have. It reached the height of 4ft. this year (year 4) and about as wide. Last year it devolped long ...Read More

T
Minneapolis, MN (Zone 5a) | April 2004 | positive

I have had this plant in my garden since 1997 and I have not had any hardiness problems at all.

This past winter our low ...Read More

G
Seattle, WA | March 2004 | positive

My Contorted Filbert (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick) is my favorite specimen. This can be purchased grafted as a tree, or left as a shrub....Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | January 2003 | neutral

This cultivar does not fruit, so no seeds are produced.

D
D
(Zone 5b) | July 2002 | positive

This plant is also used as a bonsai, and whether in the garden as a specimen plant or as bonsai, the main attraction is the wonderfully c...Read More

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Lavender cotton leaf beetle
(Chrysolina fuliginosa)
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Featured
Lavender cotton leaf beetle
(Chrysolina fuliginosa)
Cape Grassbird
(Sphenoeacus afer)