Nuts about fall

Fall is my favorite season, the colors, food, and weather all bring me joy. One of my favorite native shrubs to visit in the fall is the American hazelnut. As the leaves turn from green to gold and orange, the nut clusters also ripen to a lovely brown. The nut clusters are beautiful with frilled edges and the edible hazelnuts peeking out. Although the nuts are smaller than European hazelnuts found in grocery stores, they are delicious and enjoyed by us humans as well as squirrels, foxes, deer, northern bobwhite and turkey. I will have these shrubs available for purchase next spring. I hope you are enjoying your fall!