Filbert

The filbert species, C. maxima. Is an attractive and useful green-leafed shrub or small tree for hedges, with good crops of nuts. The variety usually grown in gardens is this purple form, with opulent deep purple foliage that rivals any other shrub of this shade. The male catkins, suspended from the bare branches before the new spring foliage develops, are reddish-purple with yellow highlights, and an attractive feature in themselves. Unusually for an ornamental variety, the edible nuts (filberts) are produced in good quantities. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).