American hazelnuts have multi season interest and are edible. They are the host plant to some very important moths and provide lots of food to different animals. They do need a male and a female to produce fruit. The males develop dramatic yellow hanging catskins in late winter. Males and females flower in the spring, followed by colorful foliage and Hazelnuts in the fall! They can get 4-10′ depending on conditions and maintenance, so they have great potential in a mixed hedge or at the back of the garden. Wildlife will enjoy the nuts if you don’t get to them first. This shrub is not deer proof, so plant in a place where grazing is not an issue. These shrubs are hardy, edible, disease resistant, and very adaptable to different growing conditions!