Corylus maxima Red Filbert

A very ornamental variety of cultivated hazel, Corylus maxima ‘Red Filbert’, often referred to as Rode Zellernoot offers a modest display of wine-coloured catkins in late winter, burgundy-purple foliage in spring, turning dark green later, and shiny, red-purple nuts. Light crops of long, slender nuts of excellent flavour. Highly nutritious source of high-quality protein, ‘good fats’, fibre, Vitamin B, folate, iron and other minerals. Harvest as they start falling from the tree. Eat fresh, or dry the crop carefully, then remove the husks and store in a mouse-proof place. 

Site: Fairly sheltered
Soil: Any reasonable soil which is not waterlogged or over-rich; light, neutral soils preferred
Position: Crops and colours best in full sun
Pick: Late September
Keep: Until New Year
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Partially self-fertile, but will crop better grouped with at least one different pollination partner; wild hazel may also pollinate
Uses: Eating fresh or from store, and for cooking; prunings make excellent bean poles, peasticks and wattle fencing

Learn more about how to choose and grow hazelnuts and other nuts in our advice section and on our resources page.