Corylus avellana Laciniata - Common Hazel

Corylus avellana 'Laciniata' is a form of common hazel with laciniate leaves, meaning they are divided into acute segments and finely toothed along the edges. Its growth is slower than that of the wild hazel and its development is less significant. It is an elegant deciduous shrub, appreciated for its dense golden catkins in late winter. Pollinated by another hazel planted nearby, for example in a hedge, it will also offer you some delicious hazelnuts in late summer.

Corylus avellana 'Laciniata' is sometimes sold under the names Corylus avellana f. heterophylla, Corylus avellana var. heterophylla, Corylus avellana 'Quercifolia' or Corylus avellana var. laciniata. It is a shrub of the Betulaceae family. The typical species, also known as the common hazel, is native to temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. It is a small monoecious fruit tree, bearing separate male and female inflorescences on the same individual, with the two types of flowers not appearing simultaneously on the branches. The common hazel is a light-demanding species that prefers neutral to slightly fertile, not too dry soil. It is wind-pollinated. It is advisable to plant at least two hazels in the garden to optimise hazelnut production.

Corylus avellana 'Laciniata', usually grafted on a stem, develops a trunk topped with a crown of variable shape, often wide and fairly sparse. Eventually, it will reach approximately 2m in all directions. The flowering occurs in two stages: in February-March the male flowers appear, grouped in pendulous, golden catkins, 5 cm in length. The inconspicuous female flowers then open in March-April. They are shaped like a bud measuring 6 to 8 mm, partially concealing bright red stigmas. The foliage appears late in May. The leaves are generally triangular and hairy, with pointed segments along the edges, each bordered by numerous small teeth. They measure 6 to 10 cm long and are a fairly light green until late summer. In autumn, they turn yellow before falling. The fruits that form on 1-year-old shoots in mature individuals are achenes grouped in threes, commonly known as hazelnuts. They are wrapped in a long green bract. The shell of the hazelnuts, initially white, turns brown when ripe between late August and early September.

The 'Laciniata' hazel is often used in mixed hedges with other hazels and various deciduous shrubs. Easy to grow in ordinary soil, it is hardy but not recommended in excessively dry conditions. It is an elegant plant that can be enhanced by other shrubs with decorative foliage such as Physocarpus, hedge spireas, and coloured foliage viburnums.