Corylus avellana Scooter - Common Hazel

Corylus avellana 'Scooter' is an original hazel with a tortuous habit, which is more compact than others: it does not exceed 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in all directions! It can therefore be adopted in any garden, even the smallest ones. Slow-growing, it is very adaptable and tolerates all soils as long as they are not too dry or too shallow.

The hazel, also known as the filbert, is a large fruiting bush of the Betulaceae family (like birches, hornbeams, alders). It is found throughout Europe, as far as Russia and the Middle East. It is very common in woods and on the edges of forests, in moist, rich and deep soils. Its large orbicular (almost round) and strongly veined leaves are easy to recognize, and take on beautiful golden hues in autumn. From the end of winter, between February and March, when their branches are still bare, hazels produce long, highly decorative male catkins. They will pollinate the tiny female flowers that appear later. The species is monoecious, meaning that male and female flowers are separate but present on the same plant. The females will then produce the well-known hazelnuts, which vary in size and taste depending on the varieties.

The 'Scooter' variety is very unique with aesthetic tortuous branches, and has the advantage of not exceeding 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in height and width, making it suitable for any garden, even those with limited space. The leaves are also crumpled and have a somewhat strange appearance. It has a relatively low fruiting capacity, so it should not be planted for a large hazelnut harvest.

Corylus 'Scooter' is robust and adaptable: it appreciates any slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil, sufficiently moist and fertile, even though it can tolerate short drought periods in deep soil. Full light or partial shade suits it well, and its hardiness is excellent as it can withstand -25°C (-13 °F) without any problems. Hazels can form very large crowns over the years, but this will not be the case with Scooter, which grows moderately and slowly. You can remove the old branches from the crown every 2 to 5 years to rejuvenate it and preserve its ornamental character, especially since the branches retain a beautiful mahogany colour during their first years.

Plant 'Scooter' in a bed close to the house, so you can enjoy it from your window during the winter (which is probably when it is at its most beautiful). You can associate it with the grass, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster', which has a very upright habit and will contrast well with its architecture, and complete the scene in autumn with its beautiful golden foliage. Similarly, create a sculptural effect by planting shrubs with coloured branches nearby, such as 'Kesselringii' dogwoods and 'Baton Rouge' dogwoods, or even a snakebark maple (Acer davidii 'Viper'). It is also possible to keep it in a large pot on a terrace, ensuring that it is provided with sufficiently moist and nutritious substrate.