Dwarf Corkscrew Hazel Scooter

A new, dwarf cultivar of contorted or corkscrew hazel, perfect for the smaller garden, Corylus avellana Scooter is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing shrub with a rounded habit and delightfully twisted branches. The big, rounded, mid-green, typical hazel leaves are also twisted and curled, and turn a good yellow in autumn. In February and March, bunches of long, yellow male catkins hang like lambs tails from the bare branches. With its spring catkins, autumn colour and light-catching summer leaves, dwarf corkscrew hazel Scooter is good throughout the year, including winter, when the contorted branches show to best advantage, especially when backlit by the low sun.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil, alkaline preferred
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Season of interest: Late winter to early spring in particular
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: up to 5 (1.5m) Spread: up to 5 (1.5m) in 10 years

Learn more about how to choose and grow hazelnuts and other nuts in our advice section and on our resources page.