We're offering you a Hedge Hazel Potted Plant for £12.99, saving you up to 35% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £19.99 (correct as of 09.12.2025).

Irresistible Charm with Corylus Avellana (Hedging)

Corylus avellana, commonly known as the Hedge Hazel or Common Hazel, is a versatile deciduous shrub prized for its edible cobnuts and robust garden presence. Native to the UK and Europe, this species is a favourite for natural hedging, wildlife gardens, and productive borders.

Why Choose Hedge Hazel?

• Seasonal Beauty: Enjoy a vibrant display of yellow-green catkins in early spring, followed by lush green foliage that adds structure and privacy throughout the growing season.
• Tasty Harvest: In September, pick your own delicious cobnuts—perfect for snacking or baking.
• Wildlife Value: Hazel attracts pollinators with its catkins and provides food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects.
• Natural Screening: The dense, bushy habit makes it an effective windbreak or privacy hedge.

Growing Guide

• Sun & Position: Thrives in full sun or partial shade; suitable for most garden soils (neutral to slightly alkaline preferred).
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK (USDA Zones 5-8).
• Mature Size: Reaches 3–5m if left unpruned; easily maintained as a hedge at 1–2m with regular trimming.
• Planting: Plant any time the ground isn’t frozen—autumn or early spring is ideal. Space plants 60–90cm apart for hedging.

Caring for Your Hazel

• Watering: Water well after planting and during dry spells in the first season.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage new growth. For cobnut production, remove old wood every few years.
• Feeding: Mulch annually with compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.

Design Tips & Companion Planting

• Create wildlife-friendly hedges by mixing hazel with hawthorn, dog rose, or blackthorn.
• Add underplanting such as bluebells or primroses for a natural woodland look.
• Use as a boundary screen or productive orchard edge—hazel’s multi-stemmed habit suits informal garden styles.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant Hazel?
  The best time is autumn or early spring when soil is moist and workable. Avoid planting during frost.
• How fast does Hedge Hazel grow?
  This species grows moderately fast, typically adding 30–60cm per year under good conditions.
• What type of soil does Corylus avellana prefer?
  Corylus avellana thrives in well-drained, fertile soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH but is adaptable to most conditions.