Melinda's Garden Moment Radio Tips
Melinda Myers
Nationally known gardening expert, TV/Radio host, author & columnist with over 30 years of horticulture experience and tons of gardening information to share! www.melindamyers.comMelinda's Garden Moment videos will help you create that beautiful landscape you’ve always wanted. Each week throughout the growing season, a new gardening video will be added right here, so be sure to stop back. You can also watch Melinda’s Garden Moments on your local network TV station affiliate.
Boost your landscape’s wildlife appeal with our native American hazelnut.
Native to dry and moist thickets, woodlands and prairies this multi-stemmed shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and moist well-drained soil. This plant suckers readily and grows 8 to 12 feet tall and wide or larger. Give it room to spread or do regular pruning to maintain its size and shape.
The male flowers are showy hanging from the branches like tinsel in early spring. Plants can begin bearing nuts just several years after planting. The edible nuts are surrounded by papery husks and can be eaten raw or ground into flour for cake-like bread.
The leaves turn yellow or wine-red in fall adding to its seasonal beauty.
Hardy in zones 3 to 9 the American hazelnut makes a nice addition to natural, informal and wildlife gardens.
A bit more information: This plant is not for everyone but makes a great addition for those looking to include native, wildlife friendly, and edible plants in their landscape. The nuts are a favorite of birds, squirrels, deer, turkeys, woodpeckers, grouse, and pheasants that also enjoy the harvest.