Common hazel
Also known as
European hazel, Hazelnut, Cobnut, Common filbert, Hazel
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Common hazel
Corylus avellana, the common hazel, is a deciduous, multi‑stemmed shrub or small tree native to Europe and western Asia. Typically 3–6 m tall (occasionally to 8 m), it often forms broad thickets via suckers. Its rounded, softly hairy leaves with doubly serrate margins emerge fresh green in spring and turn yellow in autumn. In late winter to early spring, before leaf‑out, it produces conspicuous, pendulous pale‑yellow male catkins and tiny red‑tipped female flowers; wind pollination predominates, and many plants are self‑incompatible, so cross‑pollination improves nut set. Edible nuts (hazelnuts/cobnuts) ripen in late summer to early autumn, each enclosed in a frilled husk. Hazel thrives in well‑drained loams under full sun to partial shade and tolerates slightly acidic to calcareous soils. Ecologically valuable, it provides early pollen for insects, dense cover for wildlife, and responds well to traditional coppicing for poles. Numerous cultivars exist for nut production and ornamental foliage, and it can be grown as a hedgerow, coppice stool, or specimen shrub.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Common hazel
Water
Water newly planted hazel deeply once or twice weekly during the first growing season, supplying 2.5–4 cm of water each time, adjusted for rainfall and soil type. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant; irrigate during extended dry spells to keep the top 15–20 cm of soil evenly moist, especially from catkin emergence through nut fill. For container plants, water when the top 3–5 cm is dry and ensure excellent drainage—never leave roots waterlogged.
Light
Provide full sun to light shade. For best nut production, aim for 6–8 hours of direct sun daily. Plants tolerate partial shade and dappled woodland light, but heavy shade reduces yield and encourages open, leggy growth. In regions with intense summer heat, light afternoon shade can reduce scorch and water stress without sacrificing crop quality. Keep a weed‑free, mulched area around the base to maximize light and nutrient uptake.
Nutrients
Test soil and maintain pH 6.0–7.5. Hazel is a light to moderate feeder: top‑dress in early spring with 2–5 cm of compost or well‑rotted manure, and apply a balanced slow‑release fertilizer (e.g., 5‑5‑5 or 10‑10‑10) at 30–60 g per m² if shoot growth is weak (<20–30 cm). Avoid high nitrogen after midsummer, which can suppress flower bud formation and invite winter damage. Mulch 5–8 cm to conserve moisture and feed soil life, keeping mulch off stems.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA zones 4–8 (approx. −34 to −12 °C), common hazel tolerates cold winters and cool summers. Optimal growth occurs with mean growing‑season temperatures of 15–27 °C. Catkins and young nuts can be damaged by hard late frosts; avoid frost pockets and favor sites with good air drainage. In hot‑summer climates, mulch and periodic irrigation mitigate heat stress; brief heat to about 35 °C is tolerable if soil moisture is adequate.
