Hazel plants (Corylus avellana) are large, fast growing, deciduous hedging plants with large mid-green leaves. Hazel hedges are 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 (rich in vitamin B) covered with green husks become fully ripe by September/October. 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, Hazel hedges are particularly tolerant of exposed areas and can reach an average hedge height of 5-12ft.