Corylus americana, American hazelnut, 3’ plants
FS - PS, Zone 4, Bloom Mar - April, Nuts Sept - Oct., 8-10’ x 2-6’, Medium wet to medium dry
Keystone Species - American Hazelnut is the larval host plant for 129 species of moths and butterflies, including the Gray and Early Hairstreak, Juvenals Duskywing Skipper. The plant provides year-round food, as its male catkins and buds are important food. It thrives in Michigan's climate, adapting to conditions ranging from dry rocky woodlands to moist edges, and is tolerant of partial shade. While many food sources vanish in winter, the plant's male catkins (flower clusters) provide a stable food supply for birds.
Hazelnut is native to the Eastern U.S. It is a large shrub that produces thickets via suckers. This growth can be controlled in the spring by eliminating the suckers. Pruning can be done year round. Hazelnut can be found naturally in woodlands, forests, hillsides, pastures, thickets. and other open spaces. Nut production is increased in full sun locations. It can grow 2’ per season and grows from one central stem that sends up many auxilary stems.
Hazelnuts need 2-3 seasons before nut production begins. The plant has separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Two plants are recommended to produce nuts. The female flowers are tiny and easy to miss! The male (blooms) catkins appear in the fall and ripen over the winter to maturity in the spring. The female, tiny blooms open in the spring at the same time as the female flowers ripen and before the leaves emerge. The plant is wind pollinated. No nectar is produced, but the catkins produce a much needed pollen source. The female flowers form into the nuts over the growing season and are mature and edible in Sept. to Oct. Harvesting can be done while the husks are still green. Once they turn tan, competition with the local wildlife will increase.
Hazelnuts are an excellent choice for a wildlife garden. They provide protection for songbirds and food for larger birds including the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Flickers and Blue Jays. The leaves turn a bright orange in the fall. Stems from the plant can be used in basket making.
Is the larval host plant for the Early Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, Juvenals Duskywing and Red Spotted Butterflies and many, many moths including Cecropia Silkmoth.
Corylus americana, American hazelnut, 3’ plants
FS - PS, Zone 4, Bloom Mar - April, Nuts Sept - Oct., 8-10’ x 2-6’, Medium wet to medium dry
Keystone Species - American Hazelnut is the larval host plant for 129 species of moths and butterflies, including the Gray and Early Hairstreak, Juvenals Duskywing Skipper. The plant provides year-round food, as its male catkins and buds are important food. It thrives in Michigan's climate, adapting to conditions ranging from dry rocky woodlands to moist edges, and is tolerant of partial shade. While many food sources vanish in winter, the plant's male catkins (flower clusters) provide a stable food supply for birds.
Hazelnut is native to the Eastern U.S. It is a large shrub that produces thickets via suckers. This growth can be controlled in the spring by eliminating the suckers. Pruning can be done year round. Hazelnut can be found naturally in woodlands, forests, hillsides, pastures, thickets. and other open spaces. Nut production is increased in full sun locations. It can grow 2’ per season and grows from one central stem that sends up many auxilary stems.
Hazelnuts need 2-3 seasons before nut production begins. The plant has separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Two plants are recommended to produce nuts. The female flowers are tiny and easy to miss! The male (blooms) catkins appear in the fall and ripen over the winter to maturity in the spring. The female, tiny blooms open in the spring at the same time as the female flowers ripen and before the leaves emerge. The plant is wind pollinated. No nectar is produced, but the catkins produce a much needed pollen source. The female flowers form into the nuts over the growing season and are mature and edible in Sept. to Oct. Harvesting can be done while the husks are still green. Once they turn tan, competition with the local wildlife will increase.
Hazelnuts are an excellent choice for a wildlife garden. They provide protection for songbirds and food for larger birds including the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Flickers and Blue Jays. The leaves turn a bright orange in the fall. Stems from the plant can be used in basket making.
Is the larval host plant for the Early Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, Juvenals Duskywing and Red Spotted Butterflies and many, many moths including Cecropia Silkmoth.
