Corylus Avellana ‘Red Majestic’

The corkscrew-like stems, colourful foliage and late winter flowers of this tough and adaptable plant, make it a worthy contender for a place in the border. The bare stems look wonderful in winter when silhouetted against a clear-blue winter sky, particularly when encrusted with a layer of frost or snow. Then, towards the end of the winter and before the new foliage starts to unfurl, the stems are laden with tassel-like clusters of small, pinkish purple flowers. When they appear in spring, the leaves are usually a deep claret-purple, although they can become greener as they mature – or if the plant is grown in a shadier spot. Grow it as a small tree or bushy shrub and its structure and colour will add year-round interest.