Gardening Trees, Shrubs & Vines Shrubs Filbert By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 1, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Filbert Overview Description Filbert, also called hazelnut, is a fantastic shrub for the back of a border because of its easy-growing nature and tolerance of partial shade. One of the few woody plants in and around prairies, hazelnut spreads slowly to form colonies while providing habitat and food for wildlife. In the spring, filberts produce clusters of bright yellow catkins, making this easy-care plant a great companion for spring-flowering bulbs. By fall, the large round leaves turn yellow or orange before dropping, revealing the shrub's beautiful branching habit. Loved for its twisted and contorted branch form, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick is the most popular landscape form of filbert planted today. It sports curling, twisting branches that can be pruned for use in crafts and flower arrangements. Genus Name Corylus Common Name Filbert Plant Type Shrub Light Part Sun, Sun Height 8 to 20 feet Width 8 to 12 feet Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Spring Bloom, Winter Interest Special Features Attracts Birds, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Problem Solvers Deer Resistant, Good For Privacy Using Filbert in the Landscape Combine filbert with native shrubs and trees to create a wildlife-friendly border or screen. Great companions include sumac (Rhus spp.), beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and dogwood (Cornus spp.). When cultivated together, these easy-to-grow woody plants create a palette of color and texture that lends interest year-round. Spread a 3- to 4-inch-thick layer of bark mulch around plants to create a large, nearly maintenance-free planting bed. Caring for Filbert Filbert is easy to grow in average, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade. As a woodland native, it tolerates part shade well—particularly morning sun followed by afternoon shade. Plant filbert in spring, and water plants weekly for the first two months after planting. Continue watering during long dry periods during the first growing season. Plants rarely need supplemental water after the first growing season. Keep an eye out for vigorous stems (called suckers) extending from the roots of Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. When suckers rise from the root, they're straight as a, well, stick—instead of being twisted and contorted like the more desirable top growth. Prune the straight stems away as soon as they are noticed to maintain the look of unique twisted stems. Harry Lauder's Walking Stick grows well in containers. Plant it in a large container filled with quality potting mix. Place plants in part shade or full sun and water regularly. Move to a protected location if needed in winter. More Varieties of Filbert American filbert Corylus americana, a North American native species, bears edible nuts that attract wildlife. It features good fall color and is adaptable to a range of growing conditions. American filbert grows 15 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-9 Contorted filbert This selection of Corylus avellana is known for its wildly twisting branches and has been popular since the 1800s. It grows 10 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-8 Purple filbert Corylus avellana 'Rosita' develops lovely reddish-purple foliage that matures to a deep purple-green. It grows 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Zones 4-8 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit