Planting advice for twisted hazel

Skylarks

Hi, I need some advice please. 

If I plant a twisted hazel in the middle of my front garden, it will be about 6-7ft away from the house and about 6ft away from the drain cover. Is this far enough to avoid any future problems with root spread? 

Also, when I do plant the tree, do I need to add anything in the planting hole such as bone meal, well rotten manure or mycorrhizal fungi? I’ll be adding grit in there for drainage. 

Thanks

Balgay.Hill

There is a dwarf variety called 'Scooter' if you need something smaller.

Obelixx

These plants get quite large and, to be honest, are not very attractive when in leaf as the leaves are dense and crinkly and twisted too and a rather dull green.  You have to be meticulous about cutting out any straight stems as they appear or the plant will revert to normal growth.

I'd have thought something with a longer season of interest - colourful bark, blossom, perfume, berries, spring and autumn leaf colour - would be better in such a prominent position but if you really want a twisted hazel, go for the dwarf variety.

Skylarks

Thank you for the responses. 

The one I like is Red Majestic and it’s supposed to grow to 6ft. I first came across this a few years ago in an open gardens weekend and I loved the dull crinkly red leaves 😃

If it’s maximum height is 6ft, can I prune it yearly to keep it smaller?

Obelixx

The RHS thinks this one, like the green one, will get to 4m after 10 to 20 years and I think trying to keep one pruned to 6'/1m80 for all its life will spoil its form.

If you wanted red foliage, consider instead one of these - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/94829/i-Photinia-i-times;-i-fraseri-i-Red-Robin/Details - as clipping and pruning encourage the new red growth or go for its smaller version - 
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/375001/Photinia-x-fraseri-Carre-Rouge/Details 

Skylarks

@Obelixx, thank you for the advice. Will have a rethink and look at your recommendations.