Corylus avellana ‘Contorta' - a shrub with twists and turns

It has been so cold and frosty in the garden recently that no time, save for a quick walk around, has been spent outside. It’s frustrating to look out from the house to see the lawn once again white with hoar. Even in our south-facing plot the frost has lingered all day, but on the plus side it really does look beautiful.

Near the house in a west-facing bed sits an old contorted hazel tree, its thick and gnarled trunk topped with pre-Raphaelite ringlets. It is a splendid winter specimen and I have to admit to preferring it bare rather than in full leaf.

The foliage is rough and a rather dull green, which is fine, but the leaves are often contorted too and look to be carrying some sort of unpleasant disease. Luckily by the time the tree is at this stage there is plenty in the garden to distract the eye.

Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ is a large deciduous shrub that grows around three metres tall, although very large specimens three times that height can be found. Annual pruning will keep it in shape and to the height required without affecting either the catkins produced or the production of new twisted growth.

The bare winter branches look beautiful lit by low winter sun and the catkins that begin to appear in early winter will open and flower in February, well before the leaves appear. The shrub in winter is a good specimen for flower arranging and indoor displays. We have several branches in a large container draped in fairy lights: a simple but effective display.

The contorted or corkscrew hazel is hardy and will cope with any aspect in chalk, clay, sandy or loamy soils. However, it prefers alkaline conditions and may struggle in acid soils.

The yellow male catkins in late winter are followed by edible hazel nuts. It is generally disease-free but can suffer aphid attack, especially on the tender new leaves.

The leaves also provide food for the caterpillars of a number of different moths making the shrub a good addition to a wildlife garden. If pests are spotted on the leaves it is best to walk away and leave them alone.

Aphids will eventually be eaten by ladybirds and lacewings and the caterpillars will turn into moths. A heathy plant will tolerate its visitors and the balance of the garden remains intact.

Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ a brief history

The contorted or corkscrew hazel was first found as a natural mutation or sport in a hedgerow on the Frocester Court Estate, Gloucestershire in 1863. Cuttings were sent to the gardener at nearby Tortworth Court and propagated.

All true contorted hazels are the desendants of this original hedgerow plant from more than 150 years ago.

Corylus avellana ‘Contorta' an interesting fact

Another name for this shrub is ‘Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick’ named after the Scottish music hall and vaudeville star.

Sir Harry usually performed in full Highland regalia which included a twisted walking stick made from contorted hazel at the time when this ornamental plant was becoming available to gardeners. Because of this some gardeners refer to their hazel as ‘Harry’.

The young allotment

The Kids’ Allotment at Low Moor Allotments in York is approaching its 12th year and soon the patch will be busy with children sowing, planting and harvesting their produce.

The idea is for children aged between seven and 11 to meet at the site to learn how to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers in their own allotment. The plot is flexible with space for children to work on their own or in a small group.

There are occasional trips to other gardens such as Fulford Walled Garden and Brunswick Organic Nursery, where the students can experience gardening in a different context. They also often enter goods into local shows during the summer and early autumn.

Founder and organiser Angela Johnson makes sure the students have plenty to keep them interested from the start of the season in March through to the end of October, from sowing those first seeds to picking (and eating) the ripened crop.

There are a few places available for new students to join the group and Angela is also looking for one or two adults to share the management and planning of the group.

If you have experience working with and organising small groups of children and have a little or more horticultural knowledge, then contact her at mailto:angela3147@hotmail.com

Gardening TV and Radio

Sunday January 11

6.15am, BBC2, Great British garden Revival. Rachel de Thame shares her love of roses.

7.15am, BBC2, Glorious Gardens From Above. Christine Walkden explores the landscape by hot air balloon.

8am, BBC Radio Humberside, The Great Outdoors. With Blair Jacobs and Doug Stewart.

9am, BBC Radio York, Julia Lewis. Out and about in the gardens and countryside of North Yorkshire.

9am, BBC Radio Leeds, Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

2pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. Chairman Eric Robson and his panel of horticultural experts answer questions from an audience in West Yorkshire.

Tuesday January 13

7pm, BBC2, Great British Garden Revival. Rachel de Thame looks at growing iris and Toby Buckland explains his passion for ornamental grasses.

8pm, ITV, Britain’s Best back Gardens. Alan Titchmarsh celebrates his 50 years as a gardener by visiting 30 of his favourite UK plots. This week he looks at ten working gardens.

Friday January 16

3pm, R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. Panellists Pippa Greenwood, Christine Walkden and Matthew Wilson together with chairman Eric Robson advise gardeners from Cumbria.

8pm, Sky1, Show Me Your Garden. The horticultural challenge comes from Essex this week.

9pm, BBC2, The Big Allotment Challenge. The remaining seven allotmenteers have to produce five perfect pods of peas, lilies for a floral candelabra and their own produce to make dips and crisps.