3 named cultivars

shrub

Common Hazel

The Story

Plant Bio

Corylus avellana, hazel or cobnut, is a vigorous multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree from Europe and western Asia, reaching 12 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide. The habit is erect and rounded, on smooth light grey-brown zig-zagging stems. Rounded leaves are softly hairy on both surfaces and turn yellow in autumn.

Long yellow male catkins hang from bare stems in late winter, well before the leaves, while the female flowers are tiny crimson tufts on the same plant. Two different cultivars are needed for a reliable nut crop. The pliable stems have been coppiced for centuries for bean poles, hurdles and hedging stakes.

Uses & Benefits:

Yellow catkins over bare zig-zag stems in late winter, followed by soft rounded foliage and clear yellow autumn colour.

Edible cobnuts, plus straight coppiced rods traditionally used for bean poles, hurdles and hedge stakes.

Birds, squirrels and field mice feed on the nuts, and the early catkins are an important pollen source for bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

192 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium; even moisture, well-drained soil

Humidity

Adaptable to most conditions

Lifespan

Long-lived; indefinite under regular coppicing

Native To

Europe and western Asia

Toxicity

No significant toxicity reported; nuts are edible

Planting

How to Grow

Choose full sun to partial shade with shelter from hard wind.
Plant into well-drained neutral to alkaline soil; it dislikes acidity.
Set two different cultivars within about 50 ft for cross-pollination.
Plant while dormant, firming well and watering in thoroughly.
Remove suckers each winter unless you want a thicket.
Coppice a proportion of old stems every few years to renew growth.

Pro Tip

One hazel will produce catkins and almost no nuts; two different cultivars flowering together is what makes the crop.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant two different cultivars for nuts 🌰
Keep the soil neutral to slightly alkaline 🧪
Cut out suckers annually to hold a defined shape ✂️
Net or pick early if squirrels take the crop 🐿️

Don't

Do not rely on a single plant for nuts ❌
Do not plant in strongly acid or waterlogged ground ❌
Do not prune in spring when the sap is rising ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Harvest Nuts
Winter Pruning

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Productive hedgerow or edible boundary plantingCoppiced thicket for poles, stakes and wildlife coverNaturalised area or woodland edge planting

Companion Plants

Hawthorn Dog rose Blackthorn Field maple Bluebell

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Common Hazel questions

What zones can Common Hazel grow in?

Common Hazel is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Common Hazel deer resistant?

Yes — Common Hazel is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Common Hazel bloom?

Common Hazel typically blooms in late winter to early spring through early spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Common Hazel need full sun?

Common Hazel does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.