The short answer

Quick Answer

Hazel thrives in full shade on chalky, clay soils (pH 5.5-7.5), well-drained soil. Reaches 3 to 5m as a shrub, 6m if grown as a small tree. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -25°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Coppice every 7 to 10 years in late winter. Trim hedges in August

How: For coppice, cut all stems to 10cm above ground. For a hedge, shear to shape

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Native across the British Isles and Europe

Native or exotic: Native

History: The historic management of native woods as hazel coppice with oak standards supplied fuel, hurdles and charcoal for centuries

Folklore: Hazel was the tree of wisdom in Celtic mythology. Divining rods for water were traditionally cut from hazel

Fun fact: Hazel has been coppiced in Britain for at least 4,000 years. A coppiced stool can live for several hundred years if cut on cycle

Historical medicinal uses: None significant. The nuts are nutritious and high in vitamin E

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Excellent early pollen for bees. Wind pollinated but bees work the catkins greedily [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 9 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 8 out of 10 High. Caterpillar foodplant for several moth species. Nuts for dormice, squirrels and jays[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 6 out of 10 Yellow catkins in February and March, edible cobnuts in September[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Combine with hawthorn and blackthorn in a mixed native hedge

Pest control: Generally trouble free. Squirrels will take the nuts before you do

Common diseases and issues: Hazel blight, powdery mildew, big bud mite. See RHS big bud mite advice

Invasive note: Not invasive. Suckers mildly from the base

CGM care note

We coppice the hazel in our own garden every eight years and use the straight stems as pea sticks and bean poles. Clients are often surprised how quickly a hazel stool regrows, with shoots of a metre and a half in the first season.

CGM guides mentioning Hazel

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Hazel and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Hazel

How Hazel fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Hawthorn, provides food and shelter for wildlife, berries, nectar or nesting sites
  • Blackthorn, provides food and shelter for wildlife, berries, nectar or nesting sites
  • Sorbus (Rowan and Whitebeam), provides food and shelter for wildlife, berries, nectar or nesting sites
  • Malus (Ornamental Crab Apple), provides food and shelter for wildlife, berries, nectar or nesting sites
  • Cotoneaster, provides food and shelter for wildlife, berries, nectar or nesting sites
  • Pyracantha (Firethorn), provides food and shelter for wildlife, berries, nectar or nesting sites

Avoid planting beside

Similar alternatives

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Hazel.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Hazel are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Hazel (Corylus avellana). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Hazel. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Corylus avellana. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Betulaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Yoo HJ, Lee JH, Kim DK (2017). Phylogenetic analysis of Betulaceae based on chloroplast genomes. Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy, 47(4), 375-387.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Betulaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, soil_type, seasonal_highlight.

  4. 4
    Hicks DM, Ouvrard P, Baldock KCR, et al. (2016). Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158117.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 9/10 for Hazel. The pollinator description above ("Excellent early pollen for bees. Wind pollinated but bees work the catkins greedily") is consistent with this study's finding that plants in the high-nectar-yield category attract exceptional numbers of bees, butterflies, and moths. The Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Caterpillar foodplant for several moth species. Nuts for dormice, squirrels and jays") is supported by the study's quantification of nectar resources during the mid-summer flowering period (Seasonal highlight: "Yellow catkins in February and March, edible cobnuts in September"). Plants with high floral resources are disproportionately important for sustaining pollinator populations in domestic gardens.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 9/10 and the Pollinators description ("Excellent early pollen for bees. Wind pollinated but bees work the catkins greedily"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Hazel's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Caterpillar foodplant for several moth species. Nuts for dormice, squirrels and jays") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Hazel. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Hazel's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Betulaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Hazel. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Hazel. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Hazel. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Hazel. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Hazel. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Hazel. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Hazel. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Hazel performs well locally

Towns where Hazel is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

View all areas we cover