Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic'
hazel 'Red Majestic' ( syn. Corylus avellana 'Contorta Red Majestic' )
Delivery options
- Standard £7.95
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: fertile, well-drained, preferably chalky soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: February to March
- Hardiness: fully hardy
The corkscrew-like stems, colourful foliage and late winter flowers of this tough and adaptable plant, make it a worthy contender for a place in the border. The bare stems look wonderful in winter when silhouetted against a clear-blue winter sky, particularly when encrusted with a layer of frost or snow. Then, towards the end of the winter and before the new foliage starts to unfurl, the stems are laden with tassel-like clusters of small, pinkish purple flowers. When they appear in spring, the leaves are usually a deep claret-purple, although they can become greener as they mature - or if the plant is grown in a shadier spot. Grow it as a small tree or bushy shrub and its structure and colour will add year-round interest. - Garden care: Prune dead, diseased and damaged wood in March and apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant. Remove any suckers if they apear, pulling them away from the base.