With its deep maroon-purple leaves on twisted corkscrew branches, the Red Dragon Contorted Filbert is guaranteed to please with outstanding form, texture and purplish/red color. The wavy leaves hold their color for most of the growing season before dropping in winter to reveal the twisted branches. In late winter clusters of bronze-orange catkins (flowers) emerge hanging in clusters from stem-tips just before the new leaves arrive.
Red Dragon' Contorted Filbert is a purple-leaved selection of European hazelnut that will reach around 6' tall with an equal spread in 10 years. The foliage emerges in spring a dark burgundy to maroon color, and maintains this deeply saturated tone through summer. The catkins, which emerge in late winter, are also somewhat red in color. 'Red Dragon' features twisted or "contorted" branching, and the leaves also have a wavy or curled appearance. Fruit is a hard edible brown nut (to 3/4” long) enclosed in a leafy, hairy, light green husk. Nuts are known as cobnuts. Nuts ripen in late August and September (with polinator). In Europe, cultivars of this shrub are commercially grown for nut production.
Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates average garden soils. 'Red Dragon' is often sold as a grafted specimen attached to a Corylus avellana rootstock. Promptly remove root suckers to help maintain plant appearance and prevent thicket formation. Also prune out any stems that have reverted and lost their purple leaf color or twisting form.
Plant size and shape may differ from what is pictured.
For mail orders: Plants may go through shock during shipping. Upon arrival, take the plant out and water it thoroughly. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please notify us via email at sales@amgardens.com and include a photo(s) within 24 hours of plant arrival.
For in store purchases: If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please call us at 423-870-5000 or return the plant in its original pot/condition within 3 days. Trees and shrubs have a 1 year warranty (exceptions may apply), but we highly encourage you to give us a call or email if you notice issues with your plant. We'd love to help you figure out what's wrong and save your plant!
Orders are shipped on Wednesdays and Thursdays; if your order is placed on a Wednesday, it may not ship until the following Wednesday. During peak season there may be delays in shipping. If it is too hot or cold, we suggest ordering during milder months to ensure plants arrive in best condition.