25 best varieties of hazelnuts with descriptions and characteristics, cultivation and care technology

Hazelnuts are called nuts from the Birch family, among which there are 20 main species. Initially, they grew in coniferous forests, forming the undergrowth. The fruits were distinguished by their nutritional properties and excellent taste, thanks to which they tried to cultivate the plants and move them to gardens. The hazelnut (hazelnut) varieties presented by breeders on the market differ not only in seedlings, their size and shape, but also in the characteristics of the fruit, cultivation and care features.

General description and characteristics of culture

Nowadays, cultivated varieties of wild hazel are called hazelnuts. The bushes reach a height of 6 m and have a wide spreading crown. The color of the leaf blade ranges from green to dark red, so the plant is planted as an ornamental plant. The flowering period of hazelnuts is December-March.

Hazel roots are close to the soil surface, so it needs regular watering and fertilization. The shrub perfectly strengthens loose soil on slopes and has high frost resistance. For pollination, it is necessary to plant bushes of different varieties nearby, since the plant’s own inflorescences are unisexual.

Hazelnuts thrive in shaded areas, but require constant shaping and pruning. When the bush becomes denser, the yield indicators drop significantly. After the plant reaches the age of 11 years, it will also need anti-aging pruning. At the moment, more than a hundred varieties of shrubs have been bred, but not all of them are suitable for cultivation in the middle zone due to their low level of cold resistance.

Hazelnut varieties

Hazel, the varieties of which are constantly being replenished with new varieties, has already managed to settle on the plots of domestic gardeners. Based on their reviews, it is possible to establish the most popular varieties of this crop, which show good results when grown.

Trebizond

A variety of Georgian origin with high yield. The nuts are round in shape and the shell is dark brown. They contain 72% vegetable fat and weigh only 3 g. Each inflorescence includes up to 6 fruits.The ripening period occurs in the last ten days of August. The height of the plant reaches 5 m. Flowering occurs in February-April. Withstands temperatures down to -32 °C.

Caucasus

An early ripening variety with emerald green foliage. The height of the plant is up to 3 m, the crown is narrow-pyramidal, which makes the bush compact. The fruits contain 68% vegetable fat and weigh up to 3 g. The yield per hectare of plantings is 22 centners of hazelnuts. Grown as a pollinator, suitable for mechanical harvesting of fruits. Hazel is zoned for the North Caucasus region, but is successfully cultivated in all horticultural zones.

Masterpiece

The most productive hazelnut bred by Ukrainian breeders. It begins to bear fruit within 3 years after planting the bush. An adult plant produces up to 9 kg of nuts. The ripening period occurs in the last ten days of August. The height of the hazel tree is up to 4 m, the fruits are formed up to 3 g, in each inflorescence there are up to 8 pieces. It requires planting a pollinator variety nearby; propagation occurs by cuttings, shoots from the root or layering. The content of vegetable oils in nuts does not exceed 65%.

Moscow ruby

The variety was bred in 1957 by Academician Yablokov in the conditions of the Zagatala nut farm by crossing the popular Nottingham hazelnut with pollen from red-leaved hybrids. It is one of the best hazel trees for growing in gardens. The height of the plant reaches 5 m; male catkins form heavily dusting, which helps to increase productivity.

It is characterized as a cold-resistant hazel. The fruits weigh up to 4 g, in each inflorescence there are up to 15 pieces. When ripe, the nut turns crimson-red, which matches the color of the foliage. Vegetable fats in the kernel contain up to 63%. The ripening period for the harvest falls in the first ten days of October.Up to 4 kg of fruits are removed from each plant. It is grown both as a main bush and as a pollinator variety.

Academician Yablokov

The variety was obtained in 1961 and is recommended for cultivation in the northwestern region, but over the years of cultivation it has shown good results in other zones, especially in the north. The height of the hazel tree reaches 4 m. It suffers from weevil damage, and frost resistance is at an average level. The young plant produces few male flowers, but fruiting occurs regularly. Requires planting of a pollinating variety nearby. The fruits are large and ripen in the first ten days of October.

Garden

Medium-sized ordinary variety with good frost resistance. The fruits ripen in the second ten days of September and are small in size. Green foliage. Cultivated everywhere, it requires planting a pollinating variety nearby. The content of vegetable oils in nuts is up to 65%.

Warsaw red

European hazelnut with a large pyramidal bush. The fruits are large and contain up to 73% fat. The ripening period falls in the second ten days of September. It is grown not only for its harvest, but also as an ornamental plant with unusual red foliage. Requires planting of a pollinator variety. Male and female hazel inflorescences bloom simultaneously.

Firstborn

A hybrid variety obtained by breeder R. F. Kudasheva. The height of the hazel tree reaches 4 m. The fruits gain weight up to 3 g, collected in inflorescences of up to 5 pieces. in everyone. The fat content in the kernels reaches 65%.

Barcelona

The bush, up to 5 m high, has a spreading, wide crown. The leaf blades are light green in color and large in size. The variety has a high yield, the nuts are large and tasty. Their ripening occurs in the first ten days of September. Disadvantages include the ability to be affected by moniliosis.Needs pollinators to be planted nearby. The calorie content of the kernel is higher than that of fish or meat, so eating it for overweight people is undesirable.

Anapa

Caucasian variety bred on the Black Sea coast. Ripening occurs in the first ten days of September. The inflorescence consists of 2-6 nuts weighing up to 2.5 g. The height of the bush reaches 4 m. It begins bearing fruit 3 years after planting the shoot. Winter-hardy hazel with average immunity to disease.

Isaevsky

Another worthy variety from breeder Kudasheva. Forms large dessert fruits and is characterized by increased cold resistance (withstands temperatures down to -42 °C). The plant is tall, with a wide crown. Hazelnuts inherited the best qualities of their mother nut trees Tambovskiy ranniy and Akademik Yablokov.

American hazel

Hybrid American hazelnut with a bush height of up to 4 m. Flowering occurs in April-May, and the growing season lasts from April to September. The nut is formed large, sugar. It is characterized by high cold resistance.

Masha

A hybrid with red leaves, obtained by breeder Kudasheva. The fruits weigh up to 2 g, are characterized as dessert fruits, and have an average fat content. Hazelnuts can withstand low temperatures and produce abundant harvests.

Catherine

Hybrid with red foliage, obtained in 1961. It is considered one of the largest-fruited varieties, the fruits of which gain weight up to 5 g. Each cluster contains up to 8 pieces. The ripening period falls on the last ten days of September. Requires mandatory planting of pollinating varieties. Cold resistance is high.

Circassian

Recognized as a variety of folk selection.Hazelnuts have excellent frost resistance, are not susceptible to pests and pathogens, and are suitable for cultivation in arid climates. Nuts are collected in brushes of 5 pieces each. The kernel contains up to 66% vegetable fats.

Chocolate

The variety was bred by Ukrainian breeders at the G. Vysotsky Research Institute. The tall plant reaches up to 5 m, the crown is spreading. Flowering occurs in February-April, ripening period is average. Each fruit cluster contains up to 4 nuts. Hazelnuts can withstand temperatures down to -37 °C.

Kuban

A productive hazel tree with high frost resistance. The fruits gain weight up to 4 g. Hazelnuts are zoned for cultivation in the Krasnodar Territory. Each adult plant produces up to 9 kg of nuts. The harvest can be harvested mechanically.

Roman

Hazelnuts produce fruits weighing up to 4 g. They are immune to common diseases, but require preventive treatment against bacteriosis. Disadvantages include low cold resistance and the likelihood of fruit rot.

Common Siren

Polish red-leaved variety, obtained in 1969. The shrub grows up to 5 m in height. The fruits contain up to 7 nuts, which begin to ripen by September. Hazelnuts have good frost resistance and bear fruit consistently.

Adyghe

This variety was obtained as a result of the work of breeder N.A. Thagushev in 1967. It has high cold and drought resistance, as well as immunity to common diseases. There are up to 5 nuts in the fruit. The kernel contains up to 65% fat.

Catalan

The bush grows large and leafy. Nuts are formed at the tips of branches, up to 6 pieces in the fruit. Hazelnuts can withstand temperatures down to -20 °C.Harvest ripening occurs in the last ten days of September.

Lambert white

It is distinguished by its slow growth of the bush, which is capable of reaching medium dimensions. The infructescence contains up to 8 fruits, covered in a white shell. The ripening period falls on the last ten days of August. Hazelnuts are cold-resistant and are successfully grown in the climate of the North Caucasus.

Cosford

An English variety named after the area where it was bred back in 1816. The hazel tree is tall and spreading. The foliage is green, but turns red in autumn. The ripening period occurs in the second ten days of September. Hazelnuts begin bearing fruit early and require pollinating varieties to be planted nearby, but can themselves be grown as a pollinator.

Victoria

Hazelnuts of Ukrainian selection. A tall shrub that produces up to 8 nuts in each fruit. The ripening period falls on the second ten days of September. The plant tolerates cold well and produces abundant and stable harvests.

Which variety is better to choose?

Hazelnuts for your site are selected, first of all, depending on climatic conditions. Residents of the southern regions prefer drought-resistant varieties, and in the middle zone they grow only cold-resistant plants. Otherwise, the choice of gardeners is completely free. Fruit size, leaf color, taste and yield are selected solely based on personal preferences.

Features of planting and care

Hazelnuts do not like sudden temperature fluctuations, so it is advisable to plant them on the eastern and northern parts of the slopes. The plant grows well in the shade. Direct sunlight is harmful to it. With strong darkening, productivity indicators drop and decorative qualities may suffer..

The groundwater level should not be closer than 1.5 m to the surface in the area chosen for planting hazel trees. It is better to choose an area located near buildings and fences. It is not advisable to plant hazel on the south side, because the awakening will come too early and the bush will suffer from frost.

Caring for hazelnuts comes down not only to watering and mulching the soil, but also to fertilizing and pruning. To prevent the yield from decreasing, the branches inside the bush should not be allowed to thicken. It is also necessary to regularly carry out preventive spraying against pests and diseases.