Description

Substantial, fast growing, native, ornamental, deciduous shrub with large, crinkled purple leaves. Very attractive in spring when festooned with many long purple catkins which resemble lambs’ tails and provide early pollen for bees and other insects.. These are followed by edible nuts in autumn which are loved by people, squirrels, dormice and other wildlife. For best colour plant in a sunny position but it is tolerant of shade. Deciduous. For named fruiting varieties see fruit -leafed Hazel makes an outstanding ornamental and fruit-bearing deciduous hedge or specimen shrub with its large crincked purple leaves and catkins in spring. Plant in full sun for best leaf colour.