Corylus avellana

Germination

Sow immediately. Sow indoors at any time. Sow directly in Mar-Apr. Indoors, mix the seeds with a 1:1 mix of moist compost and sharp sand. Place seeds and soil in a freezer bag and pop in the fridge at 4°C for +6 weeks. Check every week for signs of germination, if so sow immediately. After cold stratification sow seeds in a pot at least 20cm deep. Cover seed with 20mm soil and place outside in early summer. Directly sow 20mm deep into prepared soil and offer protection from mice and bird attack. Keep well watered. Move to final position as soon as is practical.

Growing

Prefers a chalky soil in full or partial sun. Choose a sheltered position. Prior to planting out incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure or compost into the soil and water well. Each spring apply a mulch of well-rotted manure.

Cultivation

Pruning group 7. Prune in late winter or early spring. Prune before new leaf growth emerges but after you have enjoyed the ornamental stems. From the 2-3 year and onwards prune back hard to ground level. Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter.