Corylus Avellana Red Majestic Hazel

Corylus Avellana Red Majestic also called Hazel Red Majestic or Corylus Red Majestic, is an excellent small garden tree that has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its suitability for UK gardens. Its twisted branches, purple foliage and winter catkins give it year-round interest. Indeed it is often referred to as the Purple Twisted Hazel. 

Developed in Germany by Rolf de Vries in 2004, Corylus Avellana Red Majestic provides a long season of visual interest in the garden. In late winter, purple-red catkins hang suspended from the bare, twisted branches of male specimens, while females have tiny yellow flowers. Flowers are followed by dark red-purple foliage in spring, which turns green with a tinge of red in summer, and then finally burgundy in autumn before falling to the ground. The twisted branches add interest to the winter garden. The hazelnuts that mature in autumn on female trees can be harvested or left to attract wildlife.

Hardy throughout the UK and northern Europe, Hazel Red Majestic will grow to a mature height and spread of 2.5-4 metres in 10 to 20 years. Pruning is not necessary to maintain the compact size and semi-weeping form of Corylus Avellana Red Majestic, but be sure to prune out suckers at the base of the plant.

Plant Corylus Avellana Red Majestic in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered position with a south, east or west-facing aspect. For optimum foliage colour, choose a sunny spot. It will do well in any well-drained soil with an alkaline to neutral pH. Highly tolerant of urban pollution, Hazel Red Majestic is an excellent choice for small city gardens, and being very deer-resistant, they are perfect for a country property!

The small size and year-round appeal of Corylus Avellana Red Majestic makes it a perfect choice for even small city spaces. Planted in a large container on a roof terrace or patio, and with some lighting to highlight the pattern of the bare, twisted branches, you will have a living sculpture outside your windows in winter, as well as the foliage show from spring through autumn. Hazel Red Majestic will also do well as a specimen plant in a lawn, or in the middle of a sunny border. In a country setting, use Corylus Avellana Red Majestic as a part of an informal mixed hedge, or as a part of a woodland or meadow garden.

Corylus Avellana Red Majestic is guaranteed to bring its unique shape and beautiful foliage to your garden. Its small size, semi-weeping shape, and fascinating twisted branches will make it a stand-out! See also other varieties of Hazel including the Corkscrew Hazel and the closely related Purple Leaved Filibert.