Name: Corylus avellena Red Majestic’ aka Red Majestic Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick or contorted filbert.

red_majestic_early_summer

Type of Plant: Shrub for full sun to part shade
Why I love this:  How do I love this plant, let me count the ways!

  1. Adaptable to most soil types.
  2. Catkins (flowers) start in January and are interesting into the spring.
  3. Purple leaves in spring and early summer.
  4. Green leaves with purple new growth later in the summer.
  5. Squiggly twigs all winter.

For me this is a perfect screening plant at the end of the driveway because it grows as wide as it is tall, but it’s not too big. Said to grow to about 8 feet tall and wide, which probably means that it can get at least 10 feet in some locations. After six years in my garden it is just over 6 feet tall and wide. Hardy to zone 4 (-30 to -20 F)

I love the catkins that appear in winter and linger until spring.

I love the catkins that appear in winter and linger until spring.

Word to the wise: Be alert for suckers that aren’t contorted – these grow from below the graft and shoot straight up next to the trunk. Cut them off every spring.

This is how the plant looks in late summer - the new growth is still purple but the older leaves are green.

This is how the plant looks in late summer – the new growth is still purple but the older leaves are green.

 

 

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