Corylus heterophylla, commonly known as Asian hazel, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to temperate mixed forests, forest edges, and mountainous regions of eastern Asia, including northern and central China, Korea, Japan, and southeastern Siberia. It typically grows up to 23 feet (7 meters) tall with stems that can reach up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) in diameter. The Asian hazel has rounded, broad leaves with a coarsely double-serrated margin, which turn yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest to the landscape. The plant is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are pale yellow catkins that appear in early spring, while the female flowers are small and bright red, often going unnoticed until they develop into clusters of edible nuts, similar to those of the common hazel, Corylus avellana.

The Asian hazel is valued for its nuts, which are harvested for culinary use, and its ability to thrive in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained, fertile soils. It is suitable for planting in woodland gardens, as a specimen plant, or in mixed shrub borders. The shrub requires moderate water and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. There are no widely recognized cultivars in the horticultural trade, but the species itself is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and the ornamental quality of its catkins and nuts. Potential problems include susceptibility to hazelnut blight and filbert worm, which can affect nut production. Asian hazel is not known to be invasive outside its native range, but gardeners should monitor for any signs of unexpected spread.CC BY-SA 4.0