Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ )

Photo by Karen Dalziel

This playful shrub looks like it came straight from the pages of Dr. Seuss. Look at it. Bent and twisted in the most curious ways. Corylus avellana ‘contorta’, is also known as Contorted Filbert and Corkscrew Hazel makes a respectable shrub when clothed in its heart-shaped leaves. But it’s during the fall and deep into the winter that the walking stick comes alive. Long, yellow catkins dangle from the gnarled branches in late winter and early spring. I can’t think of another shrub that says “Touch Me” more than this one.

Photo by MDBolin

After several years of completely entertaining growth, the branches for this deciduous shrub can be used for flower arrangements or made into interesting fishing poles, and walking sticks. Although this Corylus reaches 10-15 feet tall and just as wide, it makes a wonderful container specimen. One of the latest kids on the block is a cultivar by the name of ‘Red Majestic’, and its emerging leaves show up in the summer as deep burgundy.
Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick enjoys a sunny location but tolerates light shade and curious kids.