Contorted Filbert • Corkscrew Hazel • Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick
Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ is a small deciduous tree famous for its beautifully twisted, corkscrew-like branches. Grown primarily for this architectural form, it makes a striking focal point in any garden. Often called the Contorted Filbert or Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, its common name pays homage to the Scottish entertainer known for carrying a distinctively twisted cane.
Features and Seasonal Interest
The tree produces light green, serrated foliage that transitions to a warm yellow in autumn. Once the leaves drop, the contorted branches take center stage, providing year-round structure and winter intrigue. In early spring, golden catkins appear on the bare stems, adding even more visual interest.
Unlike some other hazel varieties, this cultivar does not produce nuts, but it more than makes up for it with its sculptural form and multi-season appeal.
If you enjoy this variety, you may also like Corylus avellana ‘purpurea’, valued for its rich, purple foliage.
How to Grow Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’
Planting & Position
Grow your Contorted Filbert in an open sunny position
- Grow in a sunny to lightly shaded position; in warmer regions, some protection from hot afternoon sun helps prevent leaf scorch.
- Plant in humus-rich, well-drained soil and avoid waterlogged spots; a layer of organic mulch helps keep roots cool and moist
- A layer of organic mulch helps maintain moisture and soil health. Ensure good air circulation to reduce the risk of fungal issues.
Container Growing
Thanks to its compact size and distinctive form, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’l is excellent for courtyards, patios, and small gardens. It grows well in a large container filled with a high-quality potting mix. Make sure drainage is effective and water consistently, especially during dry periods.
Water more frequently than garden-grown plants, as containers dry out faster, and repot every few years to refresh the mix and maintain vigour.
Watering and feeding
- Water regularly during the first couple of years and in extended dry spells; once established it copes with short dry periods in average garden conditions.
- Apply a general-purpose slow-release fertiliser in spring and refresh mulch annually, keeping it clear of the trunk.
Pruning & Maintenance
This variety is prone to producing suckers—often straight, non-contorted shoots that revert to the original species form. Remove these as soon as they appear to maintain the plant’s signature twisted structure. Training the tree to a single main stem enhances its sculptural look.
Landscaping Uses
- Plant as a specimen where the twisting branches can be appreciated, such as near a path, entrance, or in a lawn bed.
- The bare winter stems look dramatic against a simple backdrop like a fence, rendered wall or evergreen hedge, and branches can be cut for indoor decoration.
- Works well in courtyards, patios and small gardens, either in the ground or in a container as a sculptural feature.
Quick Reference Guide
- Botanical Name: Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’
- Common Names: Contorted Filbert, Crazy Filbert, Corkscrew Hazel, Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, Politician’s Tree
- Family: Betulaceae
- Height: 2–3 m
- Spread: Up to 3 m
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Flowering Time: Spring
- Flowers: Yellow-to-brown catkins in late winter to early spring.
- Foliage: Mid-green, deciduous
Does Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ produce edible nuts?
his cultivar is mainly grown for its contorted branches and is not reliable for nut production, so it is best treated as an ornamental tree.
When is the best time to prune a contorted filbert?
Light shaping and removal of suckers can be done whenever needed, but major pruning is generally not required other than to remove damaged or dead wood. If need pruning is easiest in late winter while the plant is dormant and the structure is clearly visible.
Can it be grown in warmer climate zones?
It performs best in areas with a cool winter but can be grown in many temperate regions, provided it has some protection from hot afternoon sun and well-drained soil.
