General Description | Unusual looking with twisted branches. |
ID Characteristic | Twisted and curled branches with long yellow catkins in April. |
Shape | No defined shape due to twisted and contorted trunk and branches. Prune to maintain preferred shape |
Landscape | A reliable uncommon shrub that is becoming more frequently used in both private and commercial landscapes. Easy to grow and adaptable to a variety of conditions. |
Cultivation | Plant in well drained soils, it is pH adaptable and prefers full sun or partial to light shade. It does however prefer chalky ground. |
Pests | Japanese Beetles may be a minor problem. Wilt seems to be a major problem. I once lost a very old specimen to it within one year. |
Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
Bark/Stem Description | Grey to tan brown in colour. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Alternate buds are broad, egg shaped, rounded and reddish in colour. |
Leaf Description | Course, crinkled and green in colour turning yellow in the autumn. Leaves can be up to 13 cm in size, are coarsely serrated and ovate to obovate in shape. |
Flower Description | Long green/yellow (yellow when pollen arises) 4-6 cm male catkins. The female flowers are purple and inconspicuous and produce 1.9 cm seed husks that hold the 1.2 mm egg shaped nuts within them.
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Fruit Description | A nut, about 1.2-1.5 cm in size, held within a calyx. Obovate in shape and tan brown when ripe. A favourite of wildlife. |
Colour Description | Leaves are deep green in colour and turning yellow in autumn, although not a great show. |
Texture Description | Coarse in texture. |