Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
Corylus avellana 'Contorta
The Contorted Filber or Harry Lauder's walking stick (sometimes called corkscrew hazelnut) is a European filbert cultivar that was discovered growing in an English hedgerow in the mid-1800s. This deciduous, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub which typically grows 8-10 feet tall and will spread 8-10 feet wide. features, as the cultivar name suggests, twisted and spiraling branches, twigs and leaves. The flowers appear in spring in showy, 2-3" long, yellowish brown catkins. Although the species is commonly grown commercially for nut production, this cultivar usually does not produce fruits (nuts). Round, double-toothed, light green leaves (2-3" long) typically turn an undistinguished yellow in fall. After leaf drop, the contorted form of the branches becomes quite noticeable and provides winter interest.