American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

Other Names: American Filbert

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 8-12′

Width at Maturity: 8-12′

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright, Rounded

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Female: Red | Male Yellow

Flower Size: Medium, 1/4″ wide x 1-2″ long

Flowering Period: Late Winter, Early Spring

Flower Type: Catkin

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green; Pinkish Burgundy, Red, Gold

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Deep Shade

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist Well Drained, periodically dry when established

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (Mildly Acidic to Mildly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Birds, Visual Attention

Resistances: Deep Shade, Cold (-30F), Deer (Moderate), Heat

Description

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a shrub that could thrive in both full sun and deep shade, acidic or alkaline soils, and the driest of sites? Meet the American Hazelnut, a native 3-season shrub that deserves a spot in every garden where it will grow, which is almost anywhere in the country: USDA Zones 4a-9b. It is an attractive multi-stem shrub that usually matures at 8 to 12 feet tall and equally as wide. In late winter to early spring it shows off drooping pencil-like catkins (male flowers) and red female flowers that are followed by edible and delicious nuts which are ready for harvest by early fall. Wildlife will enjoy them as well. The nuts, which are high in vitamin E, can be eaten raw, roasted, or ground into a flour or paste. Very attractive doubly serrated deep green leaves turn to shades of pinkish to red, gold and/or yellow. Insect and disease problems are rare. What more can we ask from a shrub?

Hazelnut has a long history of being harvested for food by Native Americans. Hazelnut has also been used medicinally by Native Americans. The Cherokee are reported to have used a tea made from the inner bark in the treatment of hives and fevers. A decoction of raw nuts was employed to control bleeding during childbirth, and one made from the roots was used to sooth teething babies.

Wildlife Assets

The nuts are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, wild turkeys, chipmunks, foxes, white-tailed deer, skunks, and squirrels. It is the host plant for caterpillars of the Saturniidae moth.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 8 to 12 feet tall and wide when left to grow naturally, the American Hazelnut can be grown as a large shrub or small tree ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny or shady landscape or woodland borders. To tree form, simply remove lowers branches to a desired height. A fine addition to native gardens, wildlife gardens, food gardens, cottage gardens and woodland gardens.

Growing Preferences

American Hazelnut is easy to grow in most any moist but well drained soil of average fertility and full sun to deep shade. It produces more nuts and its best fall foliage color with more sun. When planting in heavy clay soil it’s a good idea to amend the native soil at a 50/50 ratio with a bagged top soil to ensure good drainage.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop monitors or below on mobile devices.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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