Georgia Gardener Newsletter Cool Plant: November 2, 2006
Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
aka Contorted Filbert
Corylus avellana 'Contorta'
Species Native Range: Europe
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4-8
Mature Size: 8-10 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil: Average, well-drained garden soil
Ease of Culture: Easy
Harry Lauder's Walking Stick was a chance occurrence found growing in a hedgerow of European
Hazelnuts in the 1800's. The twisted appearance of the trunk, limbs and leaves makes it a
curiosity from spring through fall. However, it's in the winter when HLWS really stands out
in the garden. Once the leaves have dropped, the contorted appearance is really quite attractive.
By late winter the shrub is covered with
greenish-yellow catkins
(flowers) which hang down like
icecicles before the leaves emerge.
Plant HLWS in full sun to partial shade. Flowering will be better in full sun. The soil should
be loose and well-drained. Most of these plants are sold grafted onto regular hazelnut rootstock which
has a tendency to produce straight shoots that head skyward. These should be pruned off
regularly. Recently, HLWS has been offered growing on its own roots and I recommend purchasing
these plants. The plant has few pests although its leaves are often eaten by Japanese beetles.
HLWS is a specimen plant and should be used as a focal point in the garden. They also adapt well
to growing in containers and they make excellent bonsai specimens.
The plant is named in honor of
Sir Harry Lauder, the Scottish performer known for using
a crooked walking stick.
Sources:
Although I have seen or purchased this plant from the nurseries below, I cannot guarantee that they
will have it in stock at the time this newsletter is published.
Buck Jones Nurseries: Grayson and Woodstock
Habersham Gardens: Atlanta
Hastings Nursery: Atlanta (404) 869-7447
Pike Family Nurseries: multiple locations
Copyright © 2006 by Theresa Schrum - All rights reserved
No part of this website may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of Theresa Schrum
