Filbert shrubs, also called hazel and hazelnuts, are great companions for spring-flowering bulbs.
All the shrubs in theCorylusgenus produce edible nuts.
Both the common hazel and the filbert are native to Europe and Asia.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Where to Plant Filbert
Plant filbert shrubs in USDA Zones 4-9.
The plant grows best in full sun and well-draining soil.
Spread a 3- to 4-inch-thick layer of bark mulcharound the plants to create a large, nearly maintenance-free bed.
Credit:Jay Wilde
How and When to Plant Filbert
Plantnursery-grown plantsin spring.
Backfill the hole, pressing down with your hands to remove air bubbles, and then water the plant.
If you are planting several filberts as a border, space them 10-12 feet apart.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Continue to water the plants weekly for the first two months after planting.
Purchased filbertseedsare best sown in the fall as they need to go throughcold stratification.
Sow the seeds outside covered with 1 inch of garden soil.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Germination takes months, but scarifying the seeds (scoring them with a file) speeds up the process.
Cover the seed bed with athick layer of mulchto protect the plants during the winter.
Seeds can also be sown in pots and grown in a cold frame for the winter.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Wait until the seedlings are 10 inches tall to transplant them outdoors in spring.
Filbert Care Tips
Light
Filbert shrubsgrow best in full sunto part shade.
As a woodland native, it tolerates part shade wellparticularly morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Soil and Water
Filbert is easy to grow in average,well-drained soil.
Water during extended dry periods during the first growing season.
Plants rarely need supplemental water after the first growing season.
Credit: Scott Little
Temperature and Humidity
After filbert shrubs are established, they are hardy in USDA Zones 4-9.
They handle moderate to high humidity well.
Fertilizer
Apply aslow-release granular fertilizeraround the plants in fall of their first year.
After that, established plants probably won’t need any further fertilizer.
Pruning
Filberts don’t requireregular pruning.
How to Propagate Filbert
Propagate filbert shrubs bystem cuttingsordivision.
Immediately replant the divisions in a prepared location.
Stem Cuttings: Take 10-inch softwood cuttings from current year growth.
Remove the foliage from the bottom half of the cutting and dip it in rooting hormone.
Mist the cutting and cover the pot with a plastic bag.
Remove the plastic bag.
Wait until the seedling reaches 10 inches tall to transplant it outdoors or to a larger container.
It features good fall color and is adaptable to a range of growing conditions.
This American filbert grows 15 feet tall and wide.
Commonly known as Harry Lauders walking stick, it is the most popular landscape form of filbert.
It has been popular since the 1800s and grows 10 feet tall and wide.
It is more tree-like than many filberts and grows 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
It is resistant to frost and wind.
Like ‘Rosita,’ it has deep red foliage that matures to burgundy mixed with green.
Sumac
Sumac(Rhusspp.)
gets its name from a gorgeous display of bright purple berries in the fall.
The berries hold well into the winter, making a delicious treat for birds.
Willow
Better Homes & Gardens
Not allwillows(Salixspp.)
During the fall, willows usually have a greenish-yellow color.
In winter, the thin stems and smooth barkoffer winter landscape interest.
Dogwood Shrub
Dogwood(Cornusspp.)
shrubs offer the characteristics of dogwood trees but on a smaller scale.
They have flowers for pollinators and berries for wildlife and provide stunning fall color.
They are excellent additions to a mixed shrub border.
Frequently Asked Questions
None.
These shrubs are wind-pollinated.
