I think my Corylus avellana 'Contorta', or the contorted Hazel to its friends, must be approaching seventeen years old now. I bought it from a magazine offer alongside a bamboo and an acer that are now long dead. The contorted hazel though was made of sterner stuff and whilst not the fastest of growers, it determinedly kept going.
For the first seven years or so the hazel lived in a pot by the front door. It was probably around 40 cm high and little more than a twisty twig, but I loved it nonetheless. Fast forward to ...
