Red Dragon Hazel Corylus 'Te Terra Red'
ABOUT
Corylus 'Te Terra Red', commonly known as a type of filbert or hazelnut, is a deciduous shrub characterized by its striking foliage and ornamental features. This variety is notable for its leaves, which emerge a bright green in the spring, maturing to a deep burgundy-red later in the season. These sophisticated leaves are often rounded with a heart-shaped base and pointed tips, and they have a crinkly look with deeply veined textures that add depth and interest to the plant's appearance. In addition to its vibrant leaves, 'Te Terra Red' also produces long, decorative catkins that dangle like tassels from the branches in late winter to early spring, before the foliage emerges. These catkins, which are the male flowers of the plant, can be quite showy with a yellowish color that stands out in the winter garden. The plant is also known for its edible nuts, which are encased in a frilly outer husk. When the nuts are ripe in late summer to fall, the husks split open to reveal the hard-shelled hazelnuts within, which are coveted for their rich flavor and are often used in cooking and baking. Overall, the Corylus 'Te Terra Red' presents a multifaceted display through its seasonal changes. Its leaves, catkins, and nuts contribute to its ornamental value, offering visual appeal from winter through fall.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Betulaceae
Synonyms
Red Dragon Hazelnut, Te Terra Red Hazel, Te Terra Red Filbert
Common names
Corylus 'Te Terra Red'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Corylus 'Te Terra Red', commonly known as the Red Filbert or Red Hazel, is not typically known to be poisonous to humans. Most parts of the plant, including the nuts, are edible and are not associated with severe toxicity. However, like many nut-producing plants, it may cause allergic reactions in some individuals who are sensitive to tree nuts. Ingesting parts of the plant if one is allergic to nuts could result in symptoms such as itching, swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis in severe cases.
To pets
The Red Filbert, also known as Red Hazel, is not generally considered toxic to pets. This plant, like its human uses, is primarily known for its edible nuts. Pets may not typically be interested in eating the foliage or wood, and these parts are not known to contain any toxins that should be harmful to pets. However, the nuts could pose a choking hazard or cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities by small pets. Allergic reactions are less common in pets than in humans, but signs of an allergy or sensitivity could include gastrointestinal issues or skin irritation.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Height
8 feet (2.4 meters)
Spread
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The Corylus 'Te Terra Red', commonly known as Red Dragon Hazel, boasts striking red foliage and catkins that provide ornamental value throughout the seasons.
- Landscape Versatility: This plant can be used in various landscape applications, including as a standalone specimen, in mixed borders, or in mass plantings for visual impact.
- Wildlife Attraction: Red Dragon Hazel can attract wildlife such as birds that feed on its nuts, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Shade Tolerance: This variety of hazel can tolerate partial shade, offering flexibility in garden design and plant placement.
- Autumn Interest: As a deciduous shrub, it provides seasonal interest with its leaves changing color in the autumn before they fall.
- Compact Growth: Its relatively compact growth habit makes it suitable for smaller gardens or spaces where a full-sized hazel would be too large.
- Low Maintenance: Red Dragon Hazel generally requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Hardiness: This plant is known for its cold hardiness, making it suitable for planting in many climates where other plants might not thrive.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Corylus, commonly known as hazelnut, can be used in crafting as the flexible branches make excellent material for weaving baskets and other handcrafted items.
- Wood from the hazelnut tree is valued by woodworkers for making decorative walking sticks, due to its strength and attractive grain.
- As a natural dye, the leaves and catkins of the hazelnut can be boiled to produce various shades of yellow or green, useful for coloring fabrics and yarns.
- In landscaping, Corylus 'Te Terra Red' can be used to create natural screens or hedges, offering privacy and aesthetic value to gardens and parks.
- Hazelnut shells can be ground and used as a mulch to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds around other garden plants.
- Burned hazelnut shells can be a sustainable source of biochar, which can enrich the soil and improve its capacity to retain water and nutrients.
- The hazelnut can also serve as an eco-friendly abrasive; crushed shells can be used to polish wood or clean metal surfaces.
- Hazelnut oil, extracted from the nuts, can be used in natural wood finishing, providing protection and a soft sheen to wooden furniture.
- In permaculture systems, the hazelnut can be a valuable part of a food forest, providing both a windbreak and a source of edible nuts for humans and wildlife.
- Hazelnut branches can be used in art installations and as decorative elements in floral arrangements, adding a rustic and natural touch.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant_name is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant_name is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Corylus, commonly known as hazelnut or filbert, has been associated with protection due to the sturdy nature of the hazel tree, which was believed to be a guard against evil in folklore.
- Wisdom: Hazelnut trees are often linked to wisdom and knowledge, famously connected to the Celtic legend of the Salmon of Knowledge, which was said to eat nine hazelnuts that fell into a well of wisdom.
- Fertility: The nuts produced by the hazel tree are seen as a symbol of fertility and new life, corresponding with the ability of the tree to abundantly produce nuts.
- Reconciliation: In Celtic traditions, hazel was considered a symbol of peace and reconciliation, with hazel wands often used in rituals to bring harmony.
- Divination: Hazel sticks are traditionally used in divination practices such as water dowsing, reflecting the tree's connection to intuition and the mystical.
WaterThe common name for Corylus 'Te Terra Red' is Red Filbert. When watering Red Filbert, it is important to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil, especially during spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. Generally, deep watering once a week with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per session is adequate. During hotter months or in dry conditions, you may need to water more frequently, ensuring you always check the soil moisture first. It's best to reduce watering frequency in the fall and further in the winter when the plant is dormant.
LightRed Filbert thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Ideal lighting conditions are at least four hours of direct sunlight per day, though it can also tolerate some shade. A spot that receives morning sunlight and dappled afternoon shade can also work well for this plant to promote healthy growth without too much stress from the intense afternoon sun.
TemperatureRed Filbert is hardy and withstands a range of temperatures, but it prefers to grow in conditions between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit and maximums up to around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, prolonged exposure to temperatures outside this range, especially extreme cold, can be detrimental to the plant's health.
PruningPruning Red Filbert is important to maintain its shape, remove any dead or diseased wood, and promote healthy growth. The best time to prune is during the winter months when the plant is dormant, usually between late January and March. It should be pruned annually, focusing on thinning out crowded branches and cutting back any that are crossing or rubbing against each other to encourage better air circulation and sunlight penetration.
CleaningAs needed
SoilRed Filbert, or Corylus 'Te Terra Red', thrives best in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a small amount of sand or perlite to improve drainage is ideal for this plant. Regular amendment with organic matter can help maintain soil fertility and structure.
RepottingRed Filbert does not typically require frequent repotting as it is usually grown as an outdoor plant. However, if grown in a container, repotting every 3-5 years or when the plant becomes root-bound can promote healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingRed Filbert does well in average outdoor humidity levels. It doesn't require any special humidity adjustments when planted outside in its preferred environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, cool temperatures, and ample space.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleCorylus 'Te Terra Red', also known as Red Dragon Hazel, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in soil that's moist and well-drained, typically in the spring. Seedlings establish themselves and grow quickly, with the plant's distinctive red leaves appearing as it matures. It enters a vegetative state where it focuses on leaf and branch growth during the first few years, gradually forming its characteristic shrubby shape. As the Red Dragon Hazel reaches maturity, typically after a few years, it begins to flower, with male catkins and small female flowers appearing on the same plant in late winter to early spring. Following pollination by wind, nuts begin to develop, which mature and are typically ready to harvest in the fall. Once the nuts drop, they can germinate to begin a new life cycle if conditions are favorable, and the mature plant will continue to go through a yearly cycle of growth, flowering, and nut production for many years.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter - Early Spring
The Corylus 'Te Terra Red', commonly known as the Red Dragon Hazelnut, is most effectively propagated using hardwood cuttings. This method involves taking a cutting from a mature, healthy plant during its dormant season, typically in late fall or early winter. A segment of the stem around 6 to 8 inches long with several nodes is selected and cut at a 45-degree angle just below a node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then planted in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or sand, ensuring that several nodes are buried beneath the soil to form roots. The potted cutting should be kept moist and in a sheltered location with indirect light until new growth indicates successful rooting, which can take several weeks to a few months.
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