Hazelnut, Hybrid (Potted)

Hybrid hazelnut is a versatile shrub for edible landscapes, hedgerows, agroforestry plantings, and wildlife-focused areas. Offered as potted stock grown in root-prune pouches, it can be planted with flexibility through the growing season.

Corylus spp. includes seedlings of complex crosses between American hazel (C. americana), European hazel (C. avellana), and Asian hazel (C. heterophylla). Our hazelnut selection is grown from seed sourced from Grimo Nut Nursery and Z’s Nutty Ridge. These open-pollinated seedlings are likely to contain pollen sources from hybrid parents. Parent trees exhibit tolerance to Eastern Filbert Blight and are selected for cold-hardiness and productivity.

Hybrid hazelnuts are typically more shrub-like than European hazelnuts and can be incorporated into hedgerows, wildlife plantings, or orchard settings. They grow 8-12 ft tall and 8-10 ft wide. They prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade and are suited to zones 4-8. Site preferences include average to moist, dry to average conditions and well-drained soils including clay, loam, poor soils, rich soils, rocky/gravelly soils, and sandy soils.

This selection provides a practical option for growers looking to establish hazelnuts from seed-grown hybrid material from multiple seed sources. After planting, growth and establishment depend on site preparation and ongoing care. Potted stock offers a flexible planting option through the growing season.

Cultivar Notes: 

• Seedling of Dermis (Grimo): Dermis was selected by Ernie Grimo in Canada. It is a productive shrub with medium-sized nuts that is suitable for cooler climates and ripens in mid- to late-October in Ontario.
• Finger Lakes Abundant (Z’s Nutty Ridge): Seeds from several of Z’s best mother trees, all of which are hardy and produce good quality nuts in Cortland, NY. The mature mother trees show no signs of blight.