Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

$106⁶³

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Flowering, Fall Color/Interest, Thornless, and Container Friendly

Specifications

Botanical Name

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'
Height

8-10 ft
Width

8-10 ft
Growing Zones

4-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Yellow
Leaf Color
- Green
- Yellow
Fall Color

Yellow
Bloom Period

Late Winter, Early Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun for at least six hours daily to ensure strong branch structure and healthy foliage. While it tolerates partial shade, too much shade can lead to leggy growth and less dramatic twisting in the branches.
Soil: This shrub prefers well drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost at planting time to improve drainage, as "wet feet" can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years of establishment, water your Walking Stick twice a week to keep the root ball consistently moist. Once mature, it is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering during summer heat can cause leaf scorch or premature leaf drop. Aim for deep soakings at the base of the plant rather than frequent light sprinklings to encourage deep root growth.

Pruning Tips

The most important pruning task is removing "suckers," which are straight shoots that grow from the rootstock and lack the signature twists. Since this plant is usually grafted, these straight branches will eventually take over if not cut out at the ground level as soon as they appear. Beyond that, prune in late winter while the plant is dormant to shape the silhouette and highlight the corkscrew architecture.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late season growth is very susceptible to winter kill and can weaken the overall health of the plant.

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Growing Zones 4-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Wise garden designers plan for visual interest in every season. They allow certain plants a chance to shine in their season. Some "ephemerals" shine for a day or two, while other plants have long-lasting appeal.

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta'), is beloved for its unique branches. It will certainly be one of the stars of your Winter Garden.

No matter where you use it, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick becomes a real conversation piece. Highlight one as a stand-out specimen in a courtyard, berm or other high-profile area.

This noteworthy deciduous shrub has such interesting gnarled and twisted branches. Often, it's grown specifically for this unusual branching pattern.

But twisting and curving into ornamental and curious contortions aside, this plant actually has four seasons of whimsical interest!

You'll enjoy terrifically bold, long dangling yellow catkins in late winter or early spring. In summer, rough-textured green leaves are attractive all season, and they mellow to rich yellow fall foliage.

Don't own your own home? No problem! Even renters can grow these terrific plants. They will adapt beautifully to living in large containers.

Frankly, a shrub with this much personality has become a family "pet" over the years. You won't want to miss this extraordinary plant.

Order Harry Lauder's Walking Stick from our expert growers today. Enjoy the charm of this rare ornamental plant.

How to Use Harry Lauder's Walking Stick in the Landscape

This interesting shrub makes a very unique specimen that deserves a place of honor. They'll become a focal point no matter where you plant them.

Add a pair to matching large pots on either side of the garden gate to elevate the moment of entry.

Plant a zigzagging line of them along the sunny edge of a woodland.

Try one in a sunny side yard to improve the experience of these forgotten areas in your landscape.

Why not let these fabulous twisted and contorted branches tell you and your guests an enchanting garden story? Plant one in a special, sunny area of your yard, then build a "Secret Garden" around it. Create a planned path to your new destination spot.

Florists love to use the curiously twisted stems in cut flower arrangements. You can easily create a "Floral Designer" hedgerow with Pussy Willow, Renaissance Spirea, Royal Family Holly Combo, Red Twig Dogwood and Harry Lauder's Walking Stick.

That lineup can become a very effective backdrop to other favorite flowering perennials in a modern Cutting Garden. You'll never be without fresh plant material!

#ProPlantTips for Care

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick performs best in full sun. It will tolerate part shade, but please give at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. The more sun, the better!

Plant it in organically rich, but well-drained soil. Provide a medium amount of water on a regular basis.

Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to keep the root system nice and cool. However, you must pull back the mulch at least 6 inches from the stems to provide proper air circulation.

You'll want to harvest a few of the oldest, thickest stems each year to use in your seasonal decoration. Remove them all the way back to the ground. New growth will emerge from the crown in spring.

Have fun with these amazing shrubs this season in your landscape. Order Harry Lauder's Walking Stick today at NatureHills.com!

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications