Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick 1 Live Plant – Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ – 3 Gallon Pot

Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), also known as Contorted Filbert or Corkscrew Hazel, is a distinctive deciduous ornamental shrub prized for its naturally twisted, spiraling branches. Its unusual branching structure creates a sculptural appearance throughout the year, especially during winter when the leaves have fallen and the contorted stems are fully visible.

During spring and summer, the shrub produces rounded to oval green leaves that may appear curled or crinkled, complementing its twisting branches. In late winter to early spring, slender yellowish-brown catkins hang from the bare stems, adding seasonal interest before the foliage emerges. The plant's irregular, branching habit makes it a distinctive choice for specimen plantings, winter-interest gardens, and ornamental shrub borders.

This listing includes one live Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick in a 3 gallon nursery pot.

Approx. 18 inches tall at time of shipping.

The plant generally performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers fertile, well-drained soil with moderate moisture. As a deciduous woody shrub, it may arrive dormant, leafless, or recently pruned depending on the season. Its naturally twisted stems are a normal and defining characteristic of this cultivar.

Plant Quantity: 1 Live Plant

Pot Size: 3 Gallon Pot

Shipping Height: Approx. 18 inches tall at time of shipping.

Common Name: Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

Alternative Common Names: Contorted Filbert, Corkscrew Hazel

Scientific Name: Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’

Cultivar: Contorta

Plant Form: Live Potted Ornamental Shrub

Plant Type: Deciduous Woody Shrub

Flower Color: Yellowish-brown catkins

Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring

Foliage Color: Green

Foliage Texture: Curled or crinkled

Branch Structure: Naturally twisted, curled, and spiraling

Growth Habit: Irregular, branching, sculptural

Primary Ornamental Feature: Distinctive corkscrew-shaped branches

Botanical Name Clarification:

The supplier abbreviation Corylus av. ‘Contorta’ refers to Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, the accepted botanical designation used for Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick.

Plant Condition Disclosure:

Live plants may be shipped dormant, leafless, recently pruned, bare root, or partially defoliated depending on season, weather, and shipping requirements.

Natural variation in size, branching, foliage density, color, root structure, and overall appearance should be expected.

Important Note:

You will receive a live starter plant (seedling/young plant). Listing photos show the plant at a mature stage for reference only. The actual plant size, shape, and appearance may vary and will be significantly smaller than the images shown.

• Common Name: Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

• Alternative Names: Contorted Filbert, Corkscrew Hazel

• Scientific Name: Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’

• Cultivar: Contorta

• Plant Quantity: 1 live plant

• Pot Size: 3 Gallon Pot

• Shipping Height: Approx. 18 inches tall at time of shipping.

• Plant Form: Live potted ornamental shrub

• Plant Type: Deciduous woody shrub

• Plant Family: Betulaceae

• Life Cycle: Perennial

• Flower Type: Hanging catkins

• Flower Color: Yellowish brown

• Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring

• Foliage Color: Green

• Foliage Characteristic: Curled, crinkled leaves

• Branch Color: Brown to gray-brown

• Branch Structure: Twisted, spiraling, corkscrew-like

• Growth Habit: Irregular, branching, sculptural

• Winter Interest: Exposed contorted branches and seasonal catkins

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Generally 4–8

• Soil Preference: Fertile, well-drained soil

• Water Requirements: Moderate

• Landscape Uses: Specimen planting, winter-interest garden, ornamental shrub border

• Container Suitable: Yes, with adequate root space

• Seasonal Appearance: Deciduous; naturally leafless during winter

• Primary Ornamental Feature: Unusual twisted and corkscrew-shaped branches

One live Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), naturally twisted woody stems, foliage when in season, root system, growing medium, and 3 gallon nursery pot.

Pot Size: 3 Gallon Pot

Shipping Height: Approx. 18 inches tall at time of shipping.

Plant Form: Live Potted Deciduous Ornamental Shrub

Plant Condition: Live woody shrub; seasonal dormancy, pruning, leaf loss, and natural variation in branching, foliage, and appearance may occur.