Corylus ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ – Italian hazelnut – Height 30 cm – 11 cm pot

Corylus avellana ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ is one of the best-known and most highly regarded hazelnut varieties from Italy. This productive hazelnut bush is renowned worldwide for its large, round nuts with an excellent flavour and a thin shell that is easy to crack. It is no surprise that this variety is widely used in the production of high-quality chocolate, pralines and other delicacies.

This hazel also thrives in the Dutch climate. Thanks to its good hardiness and reliable growth, it is an excellent choice for enthusiasts of edible gardens, food forests and growing their own nuts.

Why choose Corylus ‘Tonda di Giffoni’?

• Large, round, top-quality hazelnuts
• Excellent sweet and full-bodied flavour
• A high-yielding Italian variety
• Ideal for food forests and orchards
• Highly hardy and easy to look after
• Also attractive as an elegant multi-stemmed shrub

Contents of this product

• 1 x Corylus avellana ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ – Italian hazel
• Pot size: 12 cm
• Height on delivery: approx. 30 cm (approximate)

The plant is supplied in a nursery pot and will continue to grow after planting. The height on delivery is approximate and may vary depending on the season and stage of growth.

About growth and nuts

‘Tonda di Giffoni’ grows into a broad, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, reaching a height of around 3 to 4 metres. The plant forms a lovely rounded crown with fresh green, serrated leaves that turn yellow in autumn.

Early in the year, usually between January and March, the delicate yellow catkins appear. These not only give a sense of early spring, but also herald the start of the subsequent nut harvest.

Hazelnuts ripen in early autumn. When they are fully ripe, they fall out of their shells onto the ground of their own accord. The nuts are beautifully round, easy to shell and have a deliciously rich, aromatic flavour. They are ideal for eating fresh, roasting or using in cakes, desserts and other dishes.

Care

This hazelnut thrives best in a sunny to semi-shaded position. The plant thrives in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and grows exceptionally well in sandy soil, light clay or other humus-rich soils.

After planting, it is important to water regularly until the plant is well established. Once established, the shrub can tolerate dry spells reasonably well.

To ensure healthy growth and a good nut yield, organic fertiliser or fruit tree fertiliser can be applied annually.

Prune

Hazel bushes require little pruning. If necessary, older branches or shoots growing inwards can be removed in winter to keep the shrub open and healthy.

Removing a few old branches from time to time keeps the plant healthy and encourages the growth of new fruiting wood.

Winter care

Corylus ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ is extremely hardy and perfectly suited to the Dutch climate. The plant withstands cold winters without any problems and sprouts vigorously again in spring.

As flowering takes place early in the year, the catkins can sometimes be seen as early as the middle of winter.

Pollination

Although ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ bears both male and female flowers, cross-pollination with another hazelnut variety usually results in significantly better fruit set.

Good pollinators include, amongst others, Corylus ‘Jefferson’ and Corylus ‘Webb’s Prize Cob’. Combining several hazelnut varieties often results in a larger and more reliable harvest.

For lovers of nuts from their own garden

‘Tonda di Giffoni’ is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys harvesting their own hazelnuts. The plant combines beautifully with other hazel trees, walnut trees, chestnut trees and fruit trees, and fits perfectly into a food forest, orchard or natural garden.