Behind Harry Lauder

Scottish-born Sir Harry Lauder supposedly first appeared in his vaudeville career as an Irish comedian. He made twenty-two trips to the U.S. and several to Australia in his career. Lauder was dubbed by Churchill as “Scotland’s Greatest Ever Ambassador.”

Lauder wrote many of the songs he performed, often using Scottish themes or stereotypes in his comedy.

“Sir Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick” (also known as the “Contorta,” “Corkcrew Hazel,” “Contorted Filbert,” “Politician Plant”)  was actually discovered a couple decades before Sir Harry.  According to Dayton Nurseries:

Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick was discovered growing in an English hedgerow in the mid-1800s.  This deciduous, twisted stemmed shrub usually grows to just 8-10′.   The species is commonly grown commercially for nut production but this cultivar usually does not produce nuts.  The light green leaves turn yellow in fall.   The branch form becomes quite noticeable in winter after leaf drop and provides great winter interest.   Twigs are used by florists in flower arrangements.

Finding what I think is a well-priced Harry ( twenty-five bucks),  I’ve just planted a Harry Lauder in my shade garden. Its twisted branches offer a sculptural contrast in the fall and winter, while hanging chartruse seed pockets give a unique look when most other perennials hybernate.  In most cases, three-gallon Contorta’s (the smallest you can usually buy) cost between forty and sixty dollars. However, when the leaves are wilting and the plant goes dormat, you can find a cheap Harries for yourself in the fall.

A Harry Lauder from Landscapedia.Info