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Planting advice for twisted hazel

SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
in Plants
Hi, I need some advice please. 

If I plant a twisted hazel in the middle of my front garden, it will be about 6-7ft away from the house and about 6ft away from the drain cover. Is this far enough to avoid any future problems with root spread? 

Also, when I do plant the tree, do I need to add anything in the planting hole such as bone meal, well rotten manure or mycorrhizal fungi? I’ll be adding grit in there for drainage. 

Thanks


Posts

  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    There is a dwarf variety called 'Scooter' if you need something smaller.
    Sunny Dundee
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    These plants get quite large and, to be honest, are not very attractive when in leaf as the leaves are dense and crinkly and twisted too and a rather dull green.  You have to be meticulous about cutting out any straight stems as they appear or the plant will revert to normal growth.

    I'd have thought something with a longer season of interest - colourful bark, blossom, perfume, berries, spring and autumn leaf colour - would be better in such a prominent position but if you really want a twisted hazel, go for the dwarf variety.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
    Thank you for the responses. 

    The one I like is Red Majestic and it’s supposed to grow to 6ft. I first came across this a few years ago in an open gardens weekend and I loved the dull crinkly red leaves 😃

    If it’s maximum height is 6ft, can I prune it yearly to keep it smaller?


  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The RHS thinks this one, like the green one, will get to 4m after 10 to 20 years and I think trying to keep one pruned to 6'/1m80 for all its life will spoil its form.

    If you wanted red foliage, consider instead one of these - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/94829/i-Photinia-i-times;-i-fraseri-i-Red-Robin/Details - as clipping and pruning encourage the new red growth or go for its smaller version - 
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/375001/Photinia-x-fraseri-Carre-Rouge/Details 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
    @Obelixx, thank you for the advice. Will have a rethink and look at your recommendations. 
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