Contorted filbert/hazelnut is often listed as hardy to zone 4, so you get a 'MAYBE' as an answer to leaving it unprotected all winter. You WILL be in good shape if you bury the container out of the wind (and preferably sun), and you SHOULD be ok if you place the container against a heated building out of wind/sun & mulch heavily. If you do the latter, it will likely leaf out too early & need to be moved to protection when frost threatens. I can tell you that this plant is not on it's own roots and is prone to rampant basal suckering. Remove the suckers cleanly where they are attached to basal roots or the suckers will soon overtake the plant. It's easy to tell the suckers from the scion because they will be straight - not contorted. Yearly applications of RTU Sucker Stopper to basal roots you have pulled the soil away from is very effective at eliminating the suckering. I have lots of experience tending this plant as I have a 21 year old specimen in my garden and a 9 year old plant in the landscape at my business. Good luck. Al

I planted a Red Majestic in Fall of 2008. It was about 2 1/2 feet tall and maybe 18" wide. It is now close to 4 feet tall and wide. Not a fast grower but steady. I have mine planted in full all day sun. While the leaves tend to green up some in the later half of summer they still retain a fair amount of purple. Plus it is always putting out new leaves that are very deep purple. It makes a lovely contrast. I water mine quite alot since it is surrounded with hosta. I don't have any trouble (knock on wood) with insects, but that could just be where I live we don't get the beetles mentioned above. I don't know. It did throw out 3 suckers this year. But even if it does eventually send out a hugh number of suckers this plant, IMO, is worth the trouble of cutting them off. Alexis

beachbarbie, The sort of "drooped" leaves are normal. Also, for me, the leaves look great this time of year, but toward the end of the season, they're pretty spotted and ragged. But, I love it for its shape.

It is also available from Wayside Gardens (mail order/ internet site). Just had one planted from Midland Landscape (in Chicago area) to replace my regular contorta whcih died from transplant last year. The leaves are absolutely beautiful -- it really is an improvement to the regular contorta. Good luck!