Common hazel Corylus avellana
Common hazel (Corylus avellana) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Betulaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 3.5 m (11 ft) apart.
Plan Common hazel in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Common hazel at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3.5 m (11 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: nuts |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇹🇷 Turkey |
Is Common hazel toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic; nut allergy is a human allergy risk rather than a toxicity.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common hazel
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Common hazel in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (5 plants)
Questions about Common hazel
- How far apart should I plant Common hazel?
- About 3.5 m (11 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Common hazel need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common hazel need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Common hazel?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Common hazel flower?
- From about February for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common hazel poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; nut allergy is a human allergy risk rather than a toxicity.
- What grows well with Common hazel?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common hazel. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Wind-pollinated and self-incompatible, so two compatible cultivars are needed for nuts; chill about 800-1200 hours; squirrels often take the crop.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Silver birch Betula pendula
- River birch Betula nigra
- European hornbeam Carpinus betulus
- Paper birch Betula papyrifera
- Mountain birch Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii
- Turkish hazel Corylus colurna
- Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) Betula utilis
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla