Growing Hazelnuts: A Delicious Addition to Your Native Garden
If you’ve ever cracked open a fresh hazelnut and savored that rich, buttery flavor, you might have wondered about growing your own. The hazelnut, scientifically known as Corylus, is more than just a tasty treat – it’s a versatile shrub that can bring both beauty and bounty to your landscape. Let’s dive into why this perennial powerhouse might be perfect for your garden.
What Makes Hazelnuts Special?
Hazelnuts are deciduous shrubs that typically grow as multi-stemmed woody plants, usually staying under 13-16 feet tall. These charming plants are true four-season performers, offering delicate catkins in early spring, lush green foliage through summer, spectacular fall colors, and interesting bare branch structure in winter. The heart-shaped leaves create a lovely texture in the garden, while the dangling male catkins (called catkins) provide some of the earliest pollen sources for hungry bees emerging from winter.
Where Do Hazelnuts Call Home?
The native status of hazelnuts is a bit complex – while they’re native to St. Pierre and Miquelon, their status in Canada and the lower 48 states varies by species. However, hazelnuts have naturalized beautifully across a vast range, thriving in states from Alberta to Alabama, and from British Columbia to Newfoundland. This wide distribution speaks to their adaptability and resilience.
Why Wildlife Loves Hazelnuts
Your local wildlife will thank you for planting hazelnuts! While they provide a modest 2-5% of large animals’ diets, they’re more significant for smaller creatures. Small mammals and terrestrial birds rely on hazelnuts for 5-10% of their diet, making these shrubs valuable food sources. The dense, multi-stemmed growth habit also offers some cover, though animals use it more for food than shelter.
Perfect Garden Roles for Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are wonderfully versatile in the landscape. Here’s where they shine:
- Edible landscaping: Perfect for gardeners who want beauty and bounty
- Woodland gardens: Excellent understory plants that mimic natural forest edges
- Wildlife gardens: Attract and feed birds, squirrels, and other small mammals
- Privacy screening: Their multi-stemmed growth creates natural screens
- Pollinator support: Early spring catkins feed emerging bees when few other flowers are available
Growing Conditions That Make Hazelnuts Happy
The good news is that hazelnuts are relatively easy-going! They typically thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4-9, making them suitable for most temperate regions. These adaptable shrubs prefer well-drained soil but can tolerate various soil types. They’re happiest in partial shade to full sun – think of forest edges where they naturally occur.
While the specific wetland status isn’t clear from available data, hazelnuts generally prefer soil that drains well but doesn’t dry out completely. They’re not typically wetland plants, so avoid consistently soggy locations.
Planting and Care Tips for Success
Ready to add hazelnuts to your garden? Here’s how to set them up for success:
- Plant in fall or early spring: This gives them time to establish before extreme weather
- Space appropriately: Remember they can spread to 8-12 feet wide at maturity
- Mulch well: A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Water consistently: Especially important during their first few years of establishment
- Consider cross-pollination: Many hazelnuts produce better with multiple varieties nearby
- Prune thoughtfully: Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter
The Bottom Line on Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts offer a wonderful combination of ornamental value, wildlife benefits, and edible rewards. While their native status may vary by location, they’ve proven themselves to be well-adapted and beneficial plants across their wide growing range. They’re not considered invasive or problematic, making them a relatively safe choice for most gardens.
Whether you’re drawn to their early spring flowers, their wildlife value, or the promise of homegrown nuts, hazelnuts can be a delightful addition to the right garden. Just remember to give them space to spread, keep them well-watered while establishing, and be patient – the best nut harvests often come after a few years of growth.
If you’re looking for native alternatives specific to your region, consider checking with your local native plant society or extension office to identify hazelnut species that are definitively native to your area. But don’t let perfect be the enemy of good – these adaptable, beneficial shrubs have earned their place in many thoughtful landscapes.
