HARRY LAUDER’S WALKING STICK

Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’

Originally selected in England, this unusual hazelnut (aka filbert out here in Oregon) is distinguished by intense curling of its trunk, branches, and even it leaves.  It is most interesting in the winter when its unique twisted habit is fully exposed.  It also makes quite a show in early spring when abundant, long, bright-yellow catkins dangle from its contorted stems.  The catkins set the entire tree aglow when maximally extended.  Hazelnuts are notorious for suckering, but because these plants are on their own roots, the suckers will also be contorted, thereby reducing the need for constant removal to maintain the unique and beautiful appearance of this small tree (ultimate height 8 to 10’).  It should be noted that this cultivar does not possess significant resistance to eastern filbert blight.  Adapted to USDA zones 4 to 8.

ROSITA RED-LEAFED HAZELNUT

Corylus hybrid ‘Rosita’

This improved red-leaf form was developed by the Oregon State University Hazelnut Breeding Program.   Rosita’s main attributes are its deep red color that holds well into the hot summer months and its better (more shade-tree-like) habit as compared to other red-leaf hazelnuts selections.  We find that the unique combination of size, color and texture (coarse, from the big leaves) of this new ornamental will be an eve-catching element in any landscape.  It is believed that the red color is found only in the outermost cell layers (a periclinal chimaera) so it is possible that the tree may throw an occasional green branch.  Rosita shows some resistance to eastern filbert blight, but cannot be considered resistant to the disease.  Rosita has some Turkish Hazelnut (C. colurna) in its parentage; this should have the effect of reducing (but probably not eliminating) the suckering that is so common in C. avellana. Any suckers that do come up from our own-rooted plants will nonetheless be of the same color as the crown, so they won’t detract from the plant’s appearance to the extent that green suckers from seedling rootstocks would.  Adapted to USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8.