Corylus avellana Red Majestic - Common Hazel

Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic', with its sinuous branches and purple livery, is both charming and full of character. The entire vegetation of this bush is beautifully coloured in purple. The show begins as early as the end of winter with pendulous pink-violet catkins hanging from the dark and bare branches, and continues with the birth of young red leaves until summer, with its purplish leaves turning olive green. Some reddish-violet hazelnuts complete this beautiful symphony in amaranth colours before the autumn blaze. Winter reveals its tortuous branches that enliven the garden deserted by flowering. Its moderate development and slow growth allow it to be cultivated in a pot on a terrace or balcony for many years.

Corylus avellana belongs to the Betulaceae family, just like the birch tree. It is native to temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a small monoecious fruit tree, bearing on the same individual male inflorescences distinct from female inflorescences. The common hazel is a species of light and rather neutral, fertile soil that is not too dry.

'Red Majestic' was selected in Germany in 1997. It is the result of cross-breeding between Corylus avellana 'Contorta', with its twisted branches and spectacular catkins, and C. maxima 'Purpurea'. It stands out from the common hazel by its purple colouration, slower growth, slightly smaller development, and its twisted branches. The bush develops one or more equally twisted trunks, topped by a dense and rounded crown. At the age of 10, it will reach about 2.5 m (8.2) in height and 2 m (6.6 ft) in width. It will not exceed 5 m (16.4 ft) in height in the long term and can live for about 60 years. Its young branches covered with hairs are dark purple, opening from a light brown bark that will become very dark over time. Flowering takes place in two stages: in February-March, red-purple male flowers appear, gathered in pendant catkins 5 cm (2 in) long, which are popular with bees. In a second stage, subtle female flowers open in March-April. They have the shape of a bud measuring 6 mm to 8 mm (0.2 in to 0.3 in), partially concealing bright red stigmas. The foliage appears late in May. Very dense, it gives Corylus 'Red Majestic' its bushy appearance. The leaves are rounded, strongly veined, slightly crisped and rolled, and measure 6 cm to 10 cm (2.4 in to 3.9 in) long. The rare fruits that form on 1-year-old shoots in older subjects are achenes called hazelnuts. They are white and then turn purple when ripe. Grouped in 1 to 4, they measure 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter and mature in late August or early September. The foliage takes on flaming colours before falling in autumn.

'Red Majestic' forms a beautiful focal point in the garden in winter, allowing you to contemplate its zigzagging branches and large purple catkins. Easy to grow in ordinary soil, it is not recommended in overly arid situations. It is obviously magnificent planted as a specimen, especially in winter when its unique silhouette emerges against a leaden sky. It is also commonly used in a free hedge. It could also be installed in a Japanese-style garden, in a sunny position. It is possible to imagine a small clematis with blue flowers (Clematis alpina or integrifolia) spreading at the foot of an already aged tree while climbing its branches. Cultivating it in a large pot, on a terrace or balcony, is also possible. Amateur gardeners fond of curiosities can also grow, in a large garden, the unique Robinia 'Tortuosa'. Use its branches covered with pink-red catkins in your winter bouquets, or its leafy branches in all your compositions.