Corylus 'Rode Zellernoot' | 5 Litre Pot | 60cm - 80cm Height

Discover Corylus ‘Rode Zellernoot’, a stunning red-leaved hazelnut, offering year-round garden interest with its vibrant foliage and edible nuts.

This distinctive cultivar, also known as Red Hazelnut or Red Filbert, brings captivating colour to any UK garden. Its unique charm lies in its changing leaf hues and the promise of a delicious harvest. It stands as an excellent choice for ornamental appeal and practical uses. Moreover, it contributes significantly to local wildlife, making it a valuable addition to diverse garden schemes. This plant proves truly versatile.

• Striking deep reddish-purple leaves emerge in spring, transitioning to bronze.
• Pendulous yellow-brown catkins provide essential winter interest.
• Produces delicious, reddish-shelled hazelnuts, perfect for foraging.
• Attracts beneficial wildlife like early-flying bees and industrious squirrels.
• Versatile for hedging, woodland settings, or as a vibrant specimen plant.
• Deciduous nature ensures varied seasonal beauty in your garden.

The Allure of Corylus ‘Rode Zellernoot’ Foliage

The leaves of Corylus ‘Rode Zellernoot’ offer remarkable visual appeal. They first unfurl in spring with a rich, deep reddish-purple colour. This intense hue provides a striking contrast against green backdrops. As the season progresses, the foliage subtly matures, often developing bronze and even greenish tones before a final coppery display in autumn. Consequently, this hazelnut adds dynamic visual interest throughout many months. Its changing colours make it a focal point in borders or mixed plantings.

Winter Catkins and Edible Harvest

Long before its leaves appear, Corylus ‘Rode Zellernoot’ adorns itself with decorative catkins. These pendulous, yellow-brown male flowers emerge in late winter, typically from January to March. They offer an early source of pollen for emerging bees. Small, inconspicuous red female flowers also appear. Furthermore, this plant yields a delightful harvest. Medium-sized, reddish-shelled hazelnuts ripen in late summer or early autumn. The name ‘Rode Zellernoot’ translates from Dutch, meaning ‘Red Zeller Nut’, referencing its colourful appearance and a common hazelnut type.

A Haven for Wildlife

Planting this hazelnut actively supports garden biodiversity. The early-flowering catkins provide vital nectar and pollen for queen bees and other beneficial insects when other food sources are scarce. Later in the year, the ripening hazelnuts offer a crucial food source for squirrels, dormice, and various bird species. Its dense structure also provides shelter. Thus, Corylus ‘Rode Zellernoot’ acts as a valuable asset for local fauna.

Versatile Garden Uses

This adaptable plant thrives in many garden settings. You can grow Corylus ‘Rode Zellernoot’ as a magnificent specimen shrub or a charming small tree. It also forms an effective, attractive hedge, particularly in informal country garden styles. Furthermore, it integrates perfectly into woodland edge plantings or mixed shrub borders.

For a more compact form or to enhance its vivid foliage colour, you can prune it hard through coppicing. This method encourages a flush of new, intensely coloured growth each year. This makes the plant a flexible choice for various design schemes.