Which hazel do you need?
Hazel HedgeCorylus avellanaBare-root 40–90cm hazel costs about £7–£8 a metre and establishes quickly. Delivered November to March while dormant.DeciduousMedium 20-40cm per yearBare RootPot Grown
Hazel or Hawthorn?
| Compare | Hazel | Hawthorn |
|---|---|---|
| Thorns | None: safe by paths and play areas | Sharp: keeps out people and livestock |
| Look | Looser, with larger soft leaves | Dense and twiggy, small leaves |
| Seasonal interest | Catkins in late winter, nuts in autumn | White blossom in May, red haws in autumn |
| Shade | Copes well with part shade | Best in sun |
| Best for | Informal garden and woodland-edge hedges | Stock-proof field boundaries |
Gwynne's Grower's Tip
For most hazel hedges I'd buy bare-root 60–90cm plants. They cost little more than the smallest size, root in quickly and soon catch up with bigger plants.
Two things to know before you choose it. Hazel is deciduous, so it won't hide a view in winter: if you need year-round screening, mix it with Holly or choose an evergreen. And it naturally grows upwards, so cut new plants back by about a third after planting and trim lightly each year to keep the base thick. A clipped hedge carries fewer nuts than one left to grow.
Hazel buying questions
01Does hazel make a good hedge?
Yes, for an informal, natural-looking hedge. It is native, thornless, quick to establish and excellent for wildlife. It is less dense than Hawthorn or Beech and drops its leaves in winter, so it is not the right choice for a formal or year-round privacy hedge on its own.
02How fast does a hazel hedge grow?
Hazel is fast growing, typically adding 40–60cm a year once established. As a hedge it is usually kept at 1.5–4m with one trim a year.
03Will a hazel hedge produce nuts?
Yes, once it is a few years old, although a hedge trimmed every year carries fewer nuts than a free-growing plant because cutting removes flowering wood. Leave some stems untrimmed, or trim every other year, if nuts matter to you.
Growing Advice for Hazel Hedging
What is Hazel Hedging?
| Hazel hedging, derived from the Corylus genus, stands as a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers alike, seeking to imbue their spaces with both aesthetic beauty and practical functionality. This deciduous shrub, known for its dense foliage and rapid growth, serves a dual purpose by offering privacy and acting as a haven for wildlife. With its capacity to thrive in a variety of soil types and its resilience against harsh weather conditions, hazel hedges are lauded for their ease of maintenance. Beyond their utility, the vibrant, green leaves and the seasonal display of catkins add a visual charm to gardens throughout the year, making hazel hedges a quintessential element of British gardening tradition. |  |