Say Hi to Harry

We all have a tendency to connect physically and emotionally with the lush, green landscape during the times of the seasons when our experience of 'outside' includes gardening, playing ball, swimming and picnics. 
But that time of the season when the shrubs and trees are bear of the foliage that covers their framework is also a time that offers the opportunity to appreciate their shape and substance and how that enhances the general garden design from a different perspective.   Hence the term 'winter interest'.

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Meet Harry Lauder's Walking Stick.
The twisted, contorted branching characteristic of this specimen plant is grown more for it's 'defoliated' seasonal interest than anything else.


Also referred to as corkscrew filbert and contorted hazelnut,  there's not another single plant in my garden that looks as 'cool' in winter.





I planted this specimen about 12 years ago on the back side of the vegetable garden to 'heal' it in till I had a more prominent place in the landscape but, what can I say, it liked it there.

It grows 6' to 8' tall as wide and flowers a yellowish catkin in spring.   Once it leaf's out there is nothing special that draws your attention to it.   But in winter....... it's the eye catcher.

Safe to say that in nature there is no 'off' season.
 How 'twisted' is that!