Fun Fact of the Week - Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' is a plant of many names: European Filbert, Contorted Filbert, Corkscrew Hazel, and Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. This plant is a gnarly, twisty shrub that is sure to be a conversation piece in the garden.

This shrub grows slowly, and reaches a height of 5-10 feet / 1.5-3 meters and 8-12 feet / 2.5-3.6 meters wide. This may seem like a wide range; I believe it depends on the location. For instance, here in Minnesota (Zones 2-4b) Harry Lauder's Walking Stick will be shorter, about 5-7 feet / 1.5-2.1 meters high and 8 feet / 2.5 meters wide, whereas in Washington state (Zones 7-9) it will grow to its maximum dimensions.

Corylus avellana is not picky about its growing conditions. Acidic or alkaline, loam or clay, sun or shade, this versitile shrub will grow well almost anywhere. Aside from minor twig blight and spider mites, it also is not bothered by insects or disease. All this shrub asks is that once it is planted that it not be disturbed.

The leaves of Harry Lauder's Walking Stick are a nice, vibrant green. They are thick and slightly corrugated, giving the plant a good substance. The leaves also slightly pucker and curl as they age, which adds to the contorted appeal of the plant.

In addition to interesting branches and leaves, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick also has flowers, called catkins.

 

They may not seem like much close up, but en masse at a distance they can be quite showy.

The most interesting part of this shrub is obviously the branches, which twist and contort in every direction.

The bare branches also have a wonderful architectural presence in winter.

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Harry Lauder's Walking Stick is one of three current cultivars of Corylus avellana, or Common Hazel (not to be confused with Common Witch Hazel - Hamamelis virginiana; although they are both called "hazels," they are very distantly related.) The other cultivars are:

Weeping Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Pendula')

This shrub is grafted on a 4 ft / 1.2 m tall standard.
Height & width: 6-8 ft / 1.8-2.4 m

and Red Corkscrew Hazelnut (Corylus avellana contorta 'Red Majestic').

A lovely purple selection. Even the catkins are purple!
Height: 8-10 ft /2.4-3.1m, Width: 6-8ft / 1.8-2.4m

There are more cultivars being made all the time, so keep an eye out for them!

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But who is this Harry Lauder? Why is it called his walking stick? Because of this man:

Sir Harry Lauder, famous singer, vaudevillian and entertainer from Scotland. His most famous trademark was his polished walking stick made from, you guessed it, Corylus avellana 'Contorta'. So famous, in fact, that the shrub was named after him.

all photos are the various results of a Google Image Search