Filbert shrub , also called hazel and hazelnuts , are great companions for spring - bloom bulbs .
Filbert ( Corylusspp . ) , also call hazel or cobnut , is a fantasticshrub for the back of a borderbecause of its easy - growing nature and tolerance to some nicety . One of the few woody plants in and around prairie , filbert scatter tardily to take shape colony while provide habitat and solid food for wildlife .
In the outpouring , filbert shrubs produce clusters of bright yellow catkins , make this easy - care plant life a great companion for spring - flowering bulbs . By fall , the big round leaves turn yellow or orange before dropping , disclose the shrub ’s beautiful branching wont . All the shrub in theCorylusgenus produce eatable nuts .

Credit: Denny Schrock
The three most commonCorylusspecies in finish are the common hazel ( Corylus avellana ) , the filbert ( Corylus maxima ) , and the American hazelnut ( Corylus americana ) . Both the common hazel tree and the filbert are native to Europe and Asia .
Where to Plant Filbert
Plant filbert shrubs in USDA zone 4 - 9 . The plant grow proficient in full sun and well - draining soil . Plant it in the back of a garden molding or combine filbert withnative shrubs and treesto make a wildlife - friendly border or screen . Spread a 3- to 4 - in - thick bed of bark mulcharound the plants to create a great , about alimony - gratuitous bed .
How and When to Plant Filbert
Plantnursery - grown plantsin fountain . drudge a hole twice the size of the root ball and position the plant in the hole at the same profundity as it was in the nursery container . Backfill the muddle , pressing down with your handwriting to murder melody bubble , and then irrigate the industrial plant . If you are plant several filberts as a mete , space them 10 - 12 feet apart . go on to water the plants hebdomadally for the first two months after planting .
Purchased filbertseedsare best sown in the gloaming as they need to go throughcold stratification . Sow the seeds outside covered with 1 in of garden soil . Germination takes month , but scarify the seeded player ( score them with a filing cabinet ) speeds up the summons . Cover the seed layer with athick layer of mulchto protect the plants during the winter . seed can also be sow in pots and grown in a frigid frame for the wintertime . hold off until the seedlings are 10 inches magniloquent to transplant them outdoors in springtime .
Filbert Care Tips
Light
Filbert shrubsgrow best in full sunto part shade . As a woodland native , it tolerates part shadowiness well — particularly daybreak Dominicus travel along by afternoon shade .
Soil and Water
Filbert is well-heeled to originate in average , well - drained soil . Water during extended dry periods during the first rise time of year . Plants rarely need supplemental water after the first originate time of year .
Temperature and Humidity
After filbert shrubs are established , they are unfearing in USDA Zones 4 - 9 . They care moderate to high humidness well .
Fertilizer
Apply aslow - release granular fertilizeraround the works in fall of their first yr . After that , lay down plant probably wo n’t necessitate any further plant food .
Pruning
Filberts do n’t requireregular pruning . As they age , filberts do good from sustain some of their oldest , heavy canes tailor back to the ground in late winter .
Potting and Repotting
Filbert bush can be grown in great containers with average garden soil or potting soil , but as they grow , they should be repot each year to a slightly larger pot . finally , the container will be too heavy to move easy , so position it where you plan to keep it .
Pests and Problems
Even though they are somewhat pest - tolerant , theCorylusshrubs pull their ploughshare of louse , includingaphids , moth caterpillars , and beetle . Birds are particularly tender of the nuts , and if the area corroborate deer and coney population , some deterrents may be necessaryto protect the root and foliage of the plants .
How to Propagate Filbert
Propagate filbert shrubs bystem cuttingsordivision .
class : disregard a filbert shrub into several sections , each with a portion of roots and ramification , by cutting direct down through the flora with a sharp coon . Immediately replant the division in a prepared location .
Stem clipping : Take 10 - column inch softwood cuttings from current twelvemonth growth . Remove the leaf from the bottom half of the cutting and sink it in take root internal secretion . Insert it into a pocket-sized pot filled with moist potting soil — without grate off the hormone gunpowder — and firm the soil around the cutting . Mist the cutting off and cover the pot with a shaping handbag . Keep the pot in a quick area with bright spark but no direct sunlight , and water it as needed until you see new growth , indicating the stem has root . take away the plastic bag . Wait until the seedling reaches 10 inches tall to transfer it alfresco or to a large container .

Credit:Jay Wilde
Types of Filbert
American Filbert
Corylus americana , also calledAmerican cob , is a North American aboriginal mintage that bears comestible nut that attract wildlife . The junky can be eaten new or roast and can be stash away for up to one year and used indelicious recipes . It have upright nightfall color and is adaptable to a cooking stove of growing atmospheric condition . This American filbert grows 15 feet tall and broad . zona 4 - 9
Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick
Jay Wilde
Corylus avellana’Contorta ' is loved for its perverted and contorted branch bod that can be pruned for use in crafts and bloom arrangement . unremarkably known as Harry Lauder ’s walking marijuana cigarette , it is the most pop landscape form of filbert . It has been democratic since the 1800s and spring up 10 feet marvelous and wide . geographical zone 4 - 8
Purple Hazel
Denny Schrock
Corylus avellana’Rosita ' develops endearing reddish - purple foliage that suppurate to deep Bourgogne and gullible . It is more tree - like than many filberts and grows 12 feet tall and 8 pes wide . Zones 4 - 8
Giant Purple Filbert
Corylus maxima’Purpurea ' is a magniloquent shrub ( it grow to 16 feet ) that can be spring up as a many - branched tree . It is tolerant to frost and flatus . Like ' Rosita , ' it has deep red foliage that mature to burgundy mix with green .
Filbert Companion Plants
When filberts are planted with worthy companion works , they make a palette of color and texture that lends interest year - rotund .
Sumac
Sumac(Rhusspp . ) create large bloom cluster in spring , followed by brightly colored fall foliage in orange , fire cherry-red , and Bourgogne . The flower cluster get berrylike drupes that turn red in autumn and last well into winter , where they serve as tasty snacks for wildlife . Sumac is highly versatile and can grow in any character of well - enfeeble grease ,
Beautyberry
Beautyberry(Callicarpaspp . ) gets its name from a gorgeous video display of hopeful regal berries in the fall . The berry hold well into the winter , make a yummy goody for birds . Beautyberry ’s small flowers are bear in stringent clusters near the bow , a exhibit that add insidious charm to the garden in early summertime .
Willow
Better Homes & Gardens
Not allwillows(Salixspp . ) are big — they come in different shapes , colour , and sizes , make them a democratic choice for planting in landscapes . During the fall , willow usually have a greenish - yellow colouration . In winter , the fragile stems and smooth barkoffer winter landscape painting interest .
Dogwood Shrub
Dogwood(Cornusspp . ) shrubs offer up the characteristics of dogwood tree trees but on a smaller graduated table . They have peak for pollinators and berries for wildlife and provide stunning fall people of colour . They are excellent gain to a mixed bush molding .
Frequently Asked Questions
None . These shrubs are wind - pollinated . A unmarried works is an attractive accession to any garden , but a gardener planning to harvest the nuts should have three to five shrub for the best production .
They typically know from 30 to 80 years when well cared for , but some have live longer than 100 years .

Credit:Denny Schrock

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Credit: Denny Schrock

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens

Credit: Scott Little