Hazel (Corylus avellana)
The Hazel (Corylus avellana) is a large, fast growing, deciduous hedging plant with large mid-green leaves. The Hazel hedge is very attractive in spring when smothered with distinctive pale yellow fluffy catkins (male) known as lambs tails which appear from January to March and hang along the length of the bare twigs. Accompanied alongside the catkins are less noticeable flowers (female). The clusters of sweet, edible oval nuts covered with green husks become fully ripe by September/October. The Hazel leaves are soft, slightly hairy, large and rounded with a pointed tip and turn an attractive orange/gold in autumn. Thriving in any normal soil or positioning, the Hazel hedge is particularly tolerant of exposed areas and can reach an average hedge height of 5-12ft.