Corylus avellana Contorta Cycas and looks great all winter

and looks great all winter long

like Helleborus niger

a delightful

blue-purple flower heads (RHS 87A) exude a terrific fragrance

Corylus avellana Contorta Cycas and looks great all winterCorylus avellana 'Contorta', better known as Harry Lauder's walking stick, has long been one of our favorite large shrubs. This gem was originally found in a hedgerow in Tortworth, England by the late Lord Ducie. The fuzzy green leaves fall after frost, revealing the twisty grey stems. Starting in late January (NC), the stalks are adorned with dangling tan catkins. Harry Lauder's walking stick, which can reach 10' tall x 10' wide in 15 years makes an