Description
Hardy, North American, deciduous shrub
Description: Dark green, ovate foliage turns shades of yellow to wine-red in fall; ornamental male catkins in spring; produces small, edible nuts in fall; good for wildlife food and habitat
Habit: Grows 8-15 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide; multi-stemmed shrub with rounded top; thicket-forming
Culture: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil in full sun or light shade
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 through 9
Origin: North America
Attributes: Attracts birds, edible nuts, fall color
Jefferson-documented
The American Hazelnut is native from New England to Saskatchewan and south to Florida. It is often found along fence rows and at the edge of woodlands. In 1640 the New England poet William Wood wrote of the "Snake murthering hazel", presumably referring to the formidable switches or stems. Thomas Jefferson listed the American Hazel in 1771 as "a shrub not exceeding 10 feet for a shrubbery" at Monticello. The edible nuts have a flavor similar to the European hazelnut and are eaten by squirrels, woodpeckers, grouse, and other wildlife.
This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 24" tall.
Bare root planting tips:
~ If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.
~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.
~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
