Corylus | Heijnen Plants

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The genus Corylus, commonly known as hazel or hazelnut, is a delightful addition to any garden with its enchanting early spring flowers and the promise of delicious nuts come autumn. This deciduous shrub is renowned not only for its ornamental value but also for its hardy nature and adaptability to a range of soil types and garden settings. From Europe to Western Asia and North Africa, the Corylus has a broad distribution, bringing beauty and bounty to varied landscapes.

Key Features

The Corylus genus is a versatile group of shrubs that can serve as a stunning border, be grouped for a denser planting, or stand solitary as a focal point in a garden.
Boasting a rich tapestry of foliage colors throughout the seasons, the hazel offers a dynamic display from vibrant greens and purples in spring to a warm palette of yellows, purples, and browns in autumn.
February and March herald the arrival of Corylus' unique flowers, with male catkins presenting a showy yellow hue and the female flowers adding a subtle purple touch.
As the seasons progress, the shrubs bear fruit that matures to hues of green, brown, and purple, providing not only a visual treat but also a source of hazelnuts.
Corylus is not evergreen; it sheds its leaves in autumn, revealing a stark yet striking silhouette throughout the winter.
While the shrub does not require extensive pruning, strategic cutting back at the end of winter can rejuvenate and shape the plant for the coming year.

Tips

For optimal growth, plant your Corylus in a location that receives full sun to partial shade to ensure a splendid flowering and fruiting season.
Although drought resistance is not a forte of the genus, an average water regimen will suffice to maintain its vigor and health.
Corylus is relatively easy to propagate, with methods such as layering, grafting, and utilizing shoots from the roots allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
When planting, ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging, which could be detrimental to the shrub's health.
To enjoy a bountiful harvest, consider planting more than one shrub to facilitate cross-pollination, thereby enhancing fruit production.
After harvesting the nuts, store them in a cool, dry place to extend their shelf-life and enjoy the fruits of your labor throughout the year.

Types

Embrace the enchanting beauty and rustic charm of the hazel, a plant that is as delightful to the eye as it is rich in heritage. With its majestic forms and vibrant hues, the hazel species we cultivate at Heijnen Plants are a testament to nature's splendor, offering a unique presence in any garden setting. Relish the intricate twists of branches, the regal purples, and the lush greens that characterize our exquisite selection.

The Corylus avellana 'Contorta', commonly known as the corkscrew hazel or Harry Lauder's walking stick, is a unique specimen that brings an artistic flair to any garden. Admired for its distinctively twisted and spiraled branches, this shrub captures attention even during the dormant winter months. When spring arrives, it further delights with an abundance of small, yellow catkins that dangle elegantly from its contorted limbs. This variety of hazel adds both texture and whimsy to the landscape, making it a favorite among garden enthusiasts.
The Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic' imbues the garden with a dramatic flair, known for its striking red foliage that persists throughout the year, transforming to a deep burgundy in the fall. As early as February and March, this hazel variety also boasts vibrant yellow flowers, which contrast beautifully against the red leaves. This deciduous shrub provides a spectacular visual interest across seasons, making it a captivating addition to any planting scheme. Its unique color palette offers a delightful variation from the more common greenery found in gardens.
The Corylus maxima 'Purpurea', also known as the purple-leaved filbert or Purple giant filbert, is a striking ornamental plant celebrated for its vibrant foliage. With leaves that range from rich burgundy to deep purple, this shrub adds a splash of dramatic color to the garden palette, especially during the flowering months of February and March. While it does not produce prominent flowers, the subtle purple tints of its foliage are enough to make a statement in any landscape, offering a unique aesthetic appeal throughout the year.

Ideal placement of a Corylus

For optimal growth, Corylus thrives best in locations that provide full sun to partial shade. Its versatility allows it to adapt to a range of soil types, provided the ground is well-drained. It is important to ensure that the soil is not waterlogged to avoid root rot, which can hinder the development of the plant. The hazel's ability to tolerate different conditions makes it a flexible choice for various garden designs, including borders and group plantings. The area chosen should also allow for the plant's natural growth habit, as it requires minimal pruning and enjoys the space to spread.

Planting a Corylus

Planting in well-drained soil is conducive to the healthy growth of Corylus, which can thrive in a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade. When planting, ensure the root ball is placed in a hole that is spacious enough to accommodate it without crowding. The soil should be firmed gently yet securely around the base. Once planted, water the shrub adequately to establish it in its new environment. This genus, adaptable to various soil types, is best planted with sufficient spacing to accommodate its growth habit, making it an ideal choice for borders, grouped plantings, or as a solitary feature in the landscape.

Fertilising a Corylus

To support robust growth and ensure a bountiful harvest of nuts, it is recommended to fertilize Corylus shrubs annually. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just as the plant begins to break dormancy. This will provide the shrub with essential nutrients throughout the growing season. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.

When applying fertilizer, spread it evenly around the base of the plant, extending out to the drip line. This method ensures that the root system, which spreads outward, has access to the nutrients. After fertilizing, water the area thoroughly to help distribute the fertilizer into the soil and reduce the risk of root burn. With proper nutrition, Corylus will thrive, offering a delightful display of flowers in spring and a generous yield of hazelnuts in the autumn.

Pruning a Corylus

Corylus is a low-maintenance species, often thriving without significant pruning. However, to encourage healthy growth and productivity, a light trimming may be conducted. If shaping or size reduction is necessary, it is best to prune at the end of winter or early spring, before the new growth cycle begins. Cut back any older, less vigorous branches to promote new growth. Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts, ensuring the plant remains robust and well-structured throughout the seasons.

Watering a Corylus

To ensure the health and productivity of this species, it is important to maintain even moisture levels throughout the growing season. Although tolerant of a variety of soil types, the shrub thrives in well-drained conditions. Due to its average water needs, it is essential to provide regular watering, particularly in times of low rainfall or during extended dry spells. Young plants and recently transplanted specimens with developing root systems require particular attention to avoid water stress. Once established, however, the shrub exhibits some resilience but should not be left to endure prolonged drought conditions.

The characteristics of a Corylus

Corylus species are renowned not just for their delicious nuts but also for their contribution to wildlife habitats. With their dense foliage, they provide shelter and nesting opportunities for birds. The catkins, which appear in early spring before the leaves, are a valuable source of pollen for bees when few other sources are available. Furthermore, the understory of these plants can serve as a natural mulch, enriching the soil as the leaves decompose and fostering a miniature ecosystem beneath their canopy.

The ideal variety for you Buy corylus

Discover the enchanting Corylus, an exemplary genus that graces any landscape with its charming foliage and delightful catkins. These deciduous trees or shrubs offer year-round interest with their spring flowers and autumnal hues, making them a splendid selection for gardeners seeking an ornamental touch.

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