Weeping willow: description of the tree, features, varieties in the photo. Willow: description of species and tree cultivation
The weeping willow is a large tree that can often be found near rivers and ponds in temperate climate. Judging by the fact that the plant feels great in the wild and tolerates heat and frost, caring for it at home will not be difficult. Willow looks great in parks, recreation areas or even in the front yard.
The tree can grow up to 25 meters and live 100 years.
What types of willow are there?
Weeping willow in landscape design is an unusual solution. Among the varieties of willows you can find both full-fledged trees with a powerful trunk and ornamental shrubs. The varieties differ because they are adapted to live in different climatic conditions:
- White willow is a tree whose height can reach 25 m. The lifespan of the variety is about 100 years. White willow is called because its leaves are colored on the underside. light color. The plant feels good on the banks of rivers and reservoirs; it can also be planted near an artificial pond.
- Weeping white willow also has an unusual color, but differs in the shape of its crown. Its branches are long, flexible, lowered to the ground. The tree bark has a rich yellow tint.
- Babylonian willow also has a weeping crown. It can reach a height of 15 m or more, and its lifespan is about 100 years. The leaves are light, but without a silvery tint. The tree grows quickly and reaches its peak. The most comfortable conditions for his life are well-lit shores of reservoirs.
- Shaggy dwarf willow is a shrub that does not grow higher than 2 meters. Its leaves are different from those that grow on the usual weeping willow - rounded and covered with light down. This plant can form a crown of an unusual shape, since the shoots are strong and grow upward. The shrub easily tolerates winter frosts, prefers to grow in moist soil.
- Goat willow is a distinctive tree that is often planted in parks and recreation areas. The shoots are directed downwards, and small leaves grow on them round shape. Flowering occurs in spring, during which time the tree emits a sweet honey aroma.
There are other varieties of trees such as weeping willow. They can be completely different appearance, but all belong to the willow family. It's not only large trees with branches falling to the ground, but also small bushes with unusual shape leaves. With proper care and watering, willow grows quickly, and by pruning you can form a crown of the desired shape on it.
Rules for planting and care
Caring for decorative weeping willow is easy. The only thing worth paying attention to is the composition of the soil and its moisture content. IN natural conditions the tree grows on sandy or loamy soils and constantly receives required quantity water from a reservoir. If you plant a willow away from natural sources moisture (pond or river), it will have to be constantly watered. On dry, hot days summer days It will be useful to spray the leaves.
The plant does not need additional feeding. It adapts well to temperature changes and tolerates both heat and frost. However, you can periodically fertilize the soil with humus or compost.
It is most comfortable for weeping willow to grow on constantly moist soil. It will grow faster if the groundwater level in the area is high.
Willow propagation
Under natural conditions, the tree propagates by seeds; at home, cuttings or seedlings are used. Cuttings are harvested in spring or autumn; the middle sections of young branches that are no more than 2 years old are suitable for them. Next, they need to be prepared for planting:
- the optimal cutting length is from 20 to 30 cm;
- planted in the ground in a greenhouse or any other warm room;
- until the seedlings get stronger and are ready for transplanting, they need to be watered frequently, fertilized and the soil around them loosened;
- young trees are not planted outside in the first year; they must spend the first winter warm.
Weeping willow is planted in open ground in the spring, when the snow has completely melted. By this time, the young tree should already have fully formed root system. You can also plant it in the fall, when the period of sap movement has already ended. In this case, the soil will need to be covered with leaves or straw, and the tree itself with spruce branches.
It is necessary to dig a shallow hole in the ground (up to 60 cm in depth). During planting, the tree should be fertilized so that it takes root faster. The lower third of the hole is filled with a mixture of soil, peat and humus, and the remaining volume is filled with earth. The soil is raked up to the seedling in such a way that it forms a mound, around which there will be a depression for watering. After planting, pour 2 buckets of water under the plant. Dwarf weeping willow is no less resistant to change weather conditions than a full-fledged tree.
If the seedling is tall and unstable, it will need additional support. A peg is placed next to it, and young tree loosely fixed with a rope.
Growing on a trunk
A weeping willow on a trunk will decorate any garden. Stamped trees are those in which a decorative crown, either its own or grafted, extends from a straight trunk without branches (the trunk itself). For these purposes, a variety such as goat willow is suitable. It can be grafted onto a standard, but there is another way to grow it original:
- after planting, choose a strong and powerful shoot and firmly fix it to the support;
- as it grows, the trunk is tied higher so that it grows straight and does not branch;
- side shoots in summer need to be shortened by a third so that nutrients entered the main trunk, and it grew stronger;
- in the fall, the remaining parts of the shoots are completely removed, leaving stumps 0.5 cm long.
When the stem reaches the desired height, the support is removed. The next step it is necessary to form a uniform thick crown that will fall down. To do this, it is enough to trim it in such a way that all the branches grow downwards. Their ends are pinched off, and the shoots begin to produce new branches.
In the photo, a weeping willow grown on a trunk looks original. Other upright trees can be used as a headquarters, and goat willow can be grafted in as a decorative crown. First, you need to plant a trunk so that by the time of grafting it has time to get stronger and take root. The procedure is best carried out in late spring or early summer. When it is ready for grafting, a split is made at its top, into which a willow rootstock is planted. They usually take root well if grafted in the spring. As a result, the tree grows even and tall from below, and at its top there is a weeping crown.
Before planting a new tree in your garden, you should read the description of the weeping willow and make sure that climatic conditions suitable for her. It should not be planted in areas where the groundwater level is low, since it will have to be watered daily. If possible, you should choose places near natural or artificial bodies of water. Planting young trees is not difficult even for a novice gardener, but preparing cuttings can be lengthy. The best solution There will be a purchase of a young seedling ready for planting at the age of 1 or 2 years, which has already developed a root system. With proper care and suitable conditions, the tree will live for at least 100 years.
Weeping willow in landscape design - video
Willow has many species, including shrubs, trees and creeping species. They grow well, adapt well to urban conditions and are easy to trim. Decorative properties These plants make them favorites of landscape designers. The most popular is the weeping willow, which this article is dedicated to.
Types of weeping willow
There are more than 600 species of willows in nature. They grow everywhere, even found in the tundra and the Arctic.
Weeping willow grows up to 25-30 meters and can live up to 100 years. The trunk of the tree is powerful, covered with gray bark. The crown is wide, spreading. The leaves have a dark green tint, on the underside they are lighter and seem to be covered with whitish fluff.
Weeping willow species amaze with their splendor and diversity. Here are just the most popular of them:
Selection of seedlings for planting
Under natural conditions, willow can reproduce seeds, and in the willow culture weeping trees reproduce cuttings or receiving a seedling.
First of all, winter stem seedlings with good mature wood are chosen. It is advisable that the young animals be one to two years old and that they are harvested either early spring, or late autumn.
Before the buds open, the seedlings are placed in damp sand or in a container with water.
Did you know? Willow appeared on earth a long time ago - its remains are found already in Cretaceous period, and some modern views(ashy, white, twig-shaped) grew back in the Quaternary era.
Place for planting willow
Planting of weeping willow should be carried out in light, sandy, medium loamy soils. The area should be open, well-lit, sunny, with light partial shade possible.
In addition, in the area where it is planned to grow willow, groundwater should be located close to the surface. If you have a place on your site that is constantly drowning as a result of melting snow, then this is exactly what is comfortable for willow.
Important! In complete shade, weeping willows do not grow. Even under natural conditions, willows are not found in the wilderness.
Optimal time to plant willow
If you want to plant a tree on your site, it is important to correctly determine the time when it is better to plant a weeping willow on permanent place. Best option- in the spring, when the snow has melted. Moreover, the root system of the seedling must be fully formed. You can plant willow in the fall, after the end of sap flow, only in those areas where there is a lot of snow.
Rules for planting willow seedlings
The seedlings are placed in the soil at such a depth that several buds remain on the surface. Before planting weeping willow, dig a hole 60 cm in diameter for tree species and 50 cm - for bushes. The depth of the hole should be 40 cm. If the seedling has a closed root system, the hole should correspond to the diameter of the earthen ball. In the case where the willow is planned to be planted as a hedge, a trench is dug 40 cm deep and 40-50 cm wide.
Did you know? IN folk art Willow is associated with sadness and at the same time is a symbol of beauty.
Heavy clay soils require drainage. To do this, pour sand or crushed stone into a layer of 20-30 cm at the bottom of the planting hole.In order for the weeping willow to take root better, you need to prepare a nutrient mixture of soil, peat and compost, taken in equal proportions. You can add 200 g of azofoska to this mixture. Fill the planting hole 1/3 with this mixture and place the seedling.
Then the soil around the seedling is compacted so that a pit is formed around it for irrigation. At the end of planting, 2 buckets of water are poured under each seedling.
If the timing of willow cuttings fell on autumn period, the soil should be covered with straw or dry leaves, and the seedlings themselves should be covered with spruce branches.
If the stalk turns out to be tall, for the first time, to fix the vertical position, a support peg is installed next to it.
Did you know? Willow in different regions called differently: willow, vine, chernotal, willow, willow, bredina, lozina, willow.
How to care for a weeping willow
In order for willow to grow quickly and look graceful, you need to know the intricacies of growing and caring for these plants. More attention should be paid to caring for the weeping willow during the first time after planting.
Watering
Since willow is a moisture-loving plant, it needs frequent watering and regular spraying.
In the first years, young trees grow quickly, giving an increase of up to 3 meters per year. Therefore, during this period they need to be watered with 2-5 buckets per unit (the tree will absorb as much as it needs). Water the willow either early in the morning or in the evening, after sunset.
Water must be poured not only at the root, but also on the crown.
Did you know? Willow bark has long been used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent, and salicylic acid gets its name from the Latin salix - willow.
Feeding
Having planted a tree on your site, think about how to apply fertilizing, since it is hardly possible to grow a lush and healthy weeping willow without them. Fertilizing must be carried out in spring or autumn, while digging up the tree trunk.
Any fertilizer (mineral and organic) is suitable for weeping willows. Their application throughout the season guarantees the health of the plant and gorgeous looking.In spring and summer, complex fertilizing is applied, and in August - superphosphate and potassium sulfate. The amount of fertilizer depends on the age of the plant.
In spring, it is advisable to loosen the soil near the tree and add mineral fertilizers. In the fall, fallen leaves and wild shoots are removed from the site, and frost-resistant varieties are covered in October-November.
Important! You should not leave fallen leaves under the willow - they contain tannins that have an undesirable effect on the growth of the plant.
Haircut and crown formation
If the weeping willow is not pruned in time, then the natural formation of the crown will occur - the branches will grow chaotically, and the tree will lose its decorative effect. That's why haircut is a mandatory procedure. After pruning, you can get willows of extraordinary shape and beauty.
In the first years of life (up to 5 years), the plant does not need a haircut. The willow is gaining strength, becoming stronger, growing and developing. When the branches grow a meter, you should start the first pruning.
Mostly, willow pruning is carried out in the spring, but this procedure can also be performed in the summer. The tips of the branches are shortened by 30-35 cm. The cut is made directly above the bud directed upward.
Important! You cannot prune willow trees during the flowering period.
Regular pruning of weeping willow branches will allow you to form a luxurious tree with a luxurious crown 5-6 years after planting.
Dangerous diseases and common pests of willow trees
When growing weeping willow, special attention should be paid to pests and diseases that can affect this beauty. So, Most often, willows can be threatened by:
Of the most common willow diseases, it is necessary to highlight:
- powdery mildew;
- rust;
- necrosis;
- spotting;
- I'm scabby.
Besides, the bark and branches should be regularly inspected for the appearance of necrotic signs, in order to take timely measures to prevent the development of the disease. The affected branches are cut back to a healthy area, and the cut areas are treated.
Important! Try to protect willow bark from mechanical damage– disease carriers penetrate through them.
Preventive treatment of willow against necrosis is carried out in August or May, for the next season.
If grayish spots appear on willow leaves, the plant must be treated with copper-containing preparations.
In our family sweet pepper they love it, that’s why we plant it every year. Most of the varieties that I grow have been tested by me for more than one season; I cultivate them constantly. I also try to try something new every year. Pepper is a heat-loving plant and quite whimsical. Varietal and hybrid varieties of tasty and productive sweet peppers, which grow well for me, will be discussed further. I live in middle lane Russia.
Home floriculture is not only a fascinating process, but also a very troublesome hobby. And, as a rule, the more experience a grower has, the healthier his plants look. What should those who have no experience but want to have a home do? indoor plants- not elongated, stunted specimens, but beautiful and healthy ones, not causing a feeling of guilt with their fading? For beginners and flower growers who do not have much experience, I will tell you about the main mistakes that are easy to avoid.
Lush cheesecakes in a frying pan with banana-apple confiture - another recipe for everyone’s favorite dish. To prevent cheesecakes from falling off after cooking, remember a few simple rules. Firstly, only fresh and dry cottage cheese, secondly, no baking powder or soda, thirdly, the thickness of the dough - you can sculpt from it, it is not tight, but pliable. Good dough with a small amount of flour you will only get good cottage cheese, but here again see the “firstly” point.
It is no secret that many drugs from pharmacies have migrated to summer cottages. Their use, at first glance, seems so exotic that some summer residents are perceived with hostility. At the same time, potassium permanganate is a long-known antiseptic that is used in both medicine and veterinary medicine. In plant growing, a solution of potassium permanganate is used both as an antiseptic and as a fertilizer. In this article we will tell you how to properly use potassium permanganate in the garden.
Pork meat salad with mushrooms is a rural dish that can often be found on festive table in the village. This recipe is with champignons, but if possible, use forest mushrooms, then be sure to cook it this way, it will be even tastier. You don’t need to spend a lot of time preparing this salad - put the meat in a pan for 5 minutes and another 5 minutes for slicing. Everything else happens practically without the participation of the cook - the meat and mushrooms are boiled, cooled, and marinated.
Cucumbers grow well not only in a greenhouse or conservatory, but also in open ground. Typically, cucumbers are sown from mid-April to mid-May. Harvesting in this case is possible from mid-July to the end of summer. Cucumbers cannot tolerate frost. That's why we don't sow them too early. However, there is a way to bring their harvest closer and taste the juicy beauties from your garden at the beginning of summer or even in May. It is only necessary to take into account some of the features of this plant.
Polyscias is an excellent alternative to classic variegated shrubs and woody ones. The elegant round or feathery leaves of this plant create a strikingly festive curly crown, and its elegant silhouettes and rather modest character make it an excellent candidate for the role of large plant in the house. Larger leaves do not prevent it from successfully replacing Benjamin and Co. ficus. Moreover, polyscias offers much more variety.
Pumpkin casserole with cinnamon - juicy and incredibly tasty, a little like pumpkin pie, but, unlike the pie, it is more tender and simply melts in your mouth! This perfect recipe sweet pastries for a family with children. As a rule, kids don’t really like pumpkin, but they never mind eating something sweet. Sweet pumpkin casserole is a delicious and healthy dessert, which, moreover, is very simple and quick to prepare. Try it! You'll love it!
A hedge is not only one of essential elements landscape design. It also performs various protective functions. If, for example, the garden borders a road, or there is a highway nearby, then a hedge is simply necessary. “Green walls” will protect the garden from dust, noise, wind and create a special comfort and microclimate. In this article, we will look at the optimal plants for creating a hedge that can reliably protect the area from dust.
Many crops require picking (and more than one) in the first weeks of development, while for others transplantation is “contraindicated.” To “please” both of them, you can use non-standard containers for seedlings. Another good reason to try them is saving money. In this article we will tell you how to do without the usual boxes, pots, cassettes and tablets. And let’s pay attention to non-traditional, but very effective and interesting containers for seedlings.
Healthy vegetable soup made from red cabbage with celery, red onion and beets - a vegetarian soup recipe that can also be prepared on fasting days. For those who decide to lose a few extra pounds, I would advise not to add potatoes, and slightly reduce the amount olive oil(1 tablespoon is enough). The soup turns out to be very aromatic and thick, and during Lent you can serve a portion of the soup with lean bread - then it will be satisfying and healthy.
Surely everyone has already heard about the popular term “hygge”, which came to us from Denmark. This word cannot be translated into other languages of the world. Because it means a lot of things at once: comfort, happiness, harmony, spiritual atmosphere... In this northern country, by the way, most of the time of the year - cloudy weather and little sun. Summer is also short. And the level of happiness is one of the highest (the country regularly ranks first in the UN global rankings).
Meat balls in sauce with mashed potatoes - a simple second dish prepared based on Italian cuisine. The more common name for this dish is meatballs or meatballs, but the Italians (and not only them) call such small round cutlets meat balls. The cutlets are first fried until golden crust, and then stewed in a thick vegetable sauce - it turns out very tasty, simply delicious! Any minced meat is suitable for this recipe - chicken, beef, pork.
I always thought that there was a willow growing in my dacha. And in the spring, an acquaintance visited us (the tree was just blooming), and so he claims that it is a willow, since the catkins are yellow. Tell me, what is the difference between willow and willow?
Willow becomes popular in the spring, before Easter. On Sunday, all believers bring thin twigs to church services to consecrate them and bring them into the house. According to ancient beliefs, willow drives away evil spirits from the house and helps get rid of illnesses. But often willow twigs are used instead of willow, and many people think that this is the same crop, it just has two names.
In fact it's completely different plants and in order to understand what kind of tree is in front of you, you should know how the willow differs from the willow. It is very easy to distinguish them by the following characteristics:
- by “place of residence”;
- along the crown;
- by time and characteristics of flowering;
- by color and shape of flower buds.
Regarding general characteristics, then both plants belong to the willow family.
Where do they grow?
Willow is one of the most undemanding plants when it comes to soil; it can be found both near the river and in the middle of the field. But willow prefers only areas where there is water nearby. The willow thickets along the river banks look very beautiful, descending their long branches directly into the water. It also grows in swamps, that is, wherever there is enough moisture in the soil.
What do they look like?
The willow's crown is denser and consists of rather thick shoots covered with brown-red bark that bend poorly. The branches bear round leaves.
Willow, on the other hand, has a transparent crown with drooping shoots, thin and very flexible. The bark on them is gray-green. In spring, narrow and long leaves with a pointed tip bloom on the branches.
Willow twigs take root very well and quickly produce new ones.
How do they bloom?
Perhaps flowering is one of the main differences between willow and willow. It is not only different, but also occurs in different times. The willow is the first to dawn - very fluffy, slightly elongated snow-white buds open on the shoots. The willow blooms after it and the flower buds on the branches are a little longer and smaller, but just as fluffy. But the color of the inflorescences is radically different - they are a beautiful soft yellow color.
Many property owners underestimate the willow and treat it as a waste or even weed plant. A quick acquaintance with some types and decorative forms can radically change this view of this interesting culture. Willow has long been used for treatment and used on the farm. Today we can afford to decorate our areas with this plant by choosing the appropriate species. This plant is better suited than many others for creating garden bonsai and unusual shapes.
Willow in flowering period
Where does the fluff come from?
Willow is a dioecious plant that has males with anthers and female, fruiting. Bisexual specimens are less common. Earring-shaped inflorescences decorate some species in spring. Men's earrings first look like silvery silky balls, soon they are covered with bright yellow anthers, and then fall off. Willow fluff is given only by women's earrings. This is necessary in order to disperse the seeds at a distance from the mother plant. And we usually only blame poplars for the appearance of balls of fluff. Even when these trees are not nearby. Some types of willow bloom in early spring before the leaves bloom, others bloom when the leaves turn green on the branches.
Willow or willow?
One day before Palm Sunday I heard two people arguing about the name of the bush growing next to them willow . One of them claimed that it was a willow tree. Another called the bush a willow. Both were right, because... holly willow And willow It is customary to call it a willow and break off branches before the holiday.
Holly willow (red willow, red willow, red willow) - one of the earliest flowering species in central Russia. It is a tall shrub or tree with reddish-brown smooth branches. Flowering begins before the long narrow leaves appear. Large buds with red-brown scales are visible already in autumn.
Various furniture and boxes are woven from thin willow branches, rather than baskets, because... It is not worth storing food in them because of the bitter bark.
Willow willow also called willow. This common plant can grow as a shrub or tree. The long leaves are wider than those of common willow. This type of willow does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water.
Wolf willow allows you to quickly grow a hedge from cuttings stuck into the ground, which quickly take root. They need to be trimmed regularly or young flexible shoots intertwined with each other. Interesting variety "Aglaya" with large silver earrings and red branches. In early flowering varieties "Praecox" earrings length is about 9 cm.
Do goats like goat willow?
We often hear about goat willow (bredena) . This tall tree or shrub is decorated in early spring with fluffy earrings, which stay on the bare branches for a week or two, and then instantly fall off. During the flowering period, a subtle aroma is felt. Later, wide leaves with a velvety-felt underside grow. They are said to resemble the skin of a goat's lips when touched. Hence the name of this type of willow.
Weeping form "Pendula" - result of vaccination goat willow for a rootstock of a different type. The result is miniature trees with a trunk 60 - 170 cm high with a cascading crown. In the first years, immediately after flowering, all young shoots need to be cut short, leaving about 20 cm on each of them. Subsequently, the scion is annually cut to the outer bud, which allows you to increase the size of the crown and form a strong frame in the shape of an open umbrella. Without corrective pruning or regular blinding of the buds, the shoots quickly reach the ground, sink to it and continue to grow in the horizontal plane. The growth rate is more than two meters during the summer. It is necessary to ensure that the rootstock does not produce its own shoots that drown out the scion.
The initially neat tree, unattended, acquired strange shape. Long shoots of the scion felt great between the stones of the alpine hill and grew in the stagnant water of the decorative pool. Forced pruning was reduced to shortening branches and removing dried twigs
At first, you need to pay attention to the vaccination site. Immediately after purchase, remove the winding and all fasteners. In the first winters, it is advisable to insulate the scion for the winter, especially its “crown”. Non-woven material folded in several layers is suitable for this purpose.
This willow can be planted on the lawn, next to it, in a rock garden, or grown in a container. A group of several weeping willows with different heights standards.
Eat garden forms and varieties of goat willow with white-green variegated foliage ( "Variegata" ) and broad oval outline of the leaves. Decorative men's uniform "Mas" , which is good during flowering and in the fall, when the foliage turns golden yellow. Grows into a tree or bush "Zilberglyants" with a beautiful crown of hanging branches. The slightly wrinkled leaves have a felt underside that is pleasant to the touch.
Goat willow leaves are rich in vitamin C. B old times they were brewed like tea. It is useful to gargle and gargle with a decoction of the bark for various inflammatory processes, especially sore throat. Abscesses and ulcers are treated with an ointment made from powdered willow bark and butter.
Forming brittle willow
Brittle willow (broom) — fast growing tree with a tent-shaped crown. Lanceolate leaves up to 15 cm long bloom at the time of flowering. In autumn they turn lemon yellow. This species is easily propagated by cuttings, the degree of rooting is close to 100%. Brittle willow does not freeze even in the harshest winters. Under the species willow there are always a lot of dead, dried branches that easily break off when strong impulses wind.
So I formed a brittle willow, which grew to the wires
I consider this species the most suitable for creating garden bonsai. Cultural form of brittle willow "Bulat » (« Bullata ") tolerates corrective pruning very well. From it you can “cut” different geometric shapes. At the end of winter, the bark of young shoots begins to turn green, so in early spring the crown acquires a pleasant greenish tint. Willow does not produce fluff, which is important for people with allergies.
Option for forming the crown of willow brittle "Bulat"
Who bends the willow branches?
Twisted trunk and branches of matsudana willow - distinctive feature these trees or shrubs. The frost resistance of the species is satisfactory: in severe winters, freezing occurs above the level of snow cover. Some gardeners additionally insulate their plants for the winter. Popular decorative form " Tortuosa » - a tree or bush with a twisting trunk and olive-gray branches. The leaves are also twisted in a spiral. The plant does not do well in a windy place, especially in an icy northeast wind. Willow leaves are burned when spring frosts. Without corrective pruning, the tree becomes thickened, which makes it difficult to admire the pattern of intertwined and twisted branches.
Willow tortuous "Tortuosa"
The tortuous willow of the Ural selection with strongly curved branches of olive or reddish-brown color and twisted leaves tolerates our climate better. Tree height "Sverdlovskaya winding 1" about 4 m. It has a slightly weeping shape. There are winter-hardy low-growing forms with a weeping and pyramidal shape. They tolerate pruning well. When propagating, it is better to root short cuttings.
Twisty willow always looks so unusual
Low growing willows
The choice of low-growing ornamental willows is huge.
Hairy willow (woolly) in the Moscow region it grows no higher than one meter. In spring, catkins appear. The grayish-green leaves are round in shape and have white felt pubescence, so the entire bush appears blue and fluffy. This slow-growing willow is afraid of cold winds, waterlogging and prolonged drought. After the end of sap flow, the frozen tips of the branches are removed.
Drought resistant rosemary willow up to 1 meter high it is better to plant on poor soil, perhaps among the rockery stones. On nutritious soil it fattens, which prevents the appearance of dense crown cushions. Most the shortened trunk hides underground, and we see only numerous branches of the crown. Earrings appear before narrow dark green leaves, pubescent on the underside. Dense bushes are suitable for borders. Peat is added to the planting holes.
This low-growing willow tree needs very little space.
Purple willow "Gracilis" (Nana) is a ball up to 1.5 m high made of thin flexible branches of a purple hue. They arise from a shortened stem. The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, silvery-bluish in color. earrings are bright, reddish in color. This willow is more elegant in a bright place. In the shade, the shoots stretch out and the crown thins out. The plant grows better in sandy soils with the addition of lime. Suitable for this culture wet places, and arid. In harsh winters, the beautiful bush may freeze slightly, but then quickly recovers. Pruning is easy and allows you to create various garden shapes.
Willow herbaceous (dwarf willow) up to 15 cm high (most often 6 - 7 cm) decorated with tiny earrings and small rounded leaves with a relief pattern of veins. This is a frost-resistant species that is incredibly interesting. The herbaceous willow is sometimes called the smallest tree in the world. Its homeland is considered not only arctic latitudes, but also the highlands of the Alps and Pyrenees. There this willow almost completely fits into a layer of moss, sheltering from strong winds. This species can be recommended to bonsai connoisseurs.
Tundra species include willow reticulum - a strongly branched, low-growing, frost-resistant shrub with branches 30–50 cm long that spread along the ground. It grows slowly. Dark branches with small leathery leaves with a relief mesh pattern. Young leaves are pubescent. In spring, reddish catkins stick vertically upward. This species looks great among a scattering of stones, where low carpet cushions form over time. Reticulated willow is ideal for rock gardens.
Is there enough room for white willow?
We are often forced to refuse to plant spectacular large trees. (silver willow, willow ) from among them. This is a powerful tree up to 25 meters high. Young leaves are silvery-white. For small areas, smaller garden forms have been developed.
Such a white willow is unlikely to fit in a garden plot
Weeping white willow up to 7 m high, it attracts with its rare beauty of a weeping crown with a skirt of branches right down to the ground. An unpretentious winter-hardy plant needs regular watering and good lighting. This willow will decorate any decorative pond. It can be planted as a tapeworm on the lawn.
White silver willow up to 12 m high, it has silvery foliage. She wins when landing next to plants with burgundy leaves.
White willow "Chermezina" ("Chermesina" ) - a tree up to 7 meters high with orange-red bark and gray-green leaves, which can be grown in the form tall bush. The plant is pruned at least once every two years, removing old, faded branches, which provokes the appearance of bright young shoots.
ABOUT medicinal properties White willow can be judged by the fact that in the first half of the 19th century, the glycoside salicin was isolated from willow bark, after which salicylic acid was obtained. Later, aspirin was synthesized on its basis. Traditional medicine different countries uses teas, infusions and decoctions of white willow bark as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent. The bark infusion is used to rinse the mouth during inflammatory processes.
I haven’t named very many other types of willow that could decorate our plots. It is worth taking a closer look at this wonderful plant and using it amazing ability adapt to any living conditions. When no other plant could survive. Even in the most unfavorable situations, the willow continues to live.
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