Tree with wavy branches name. The tortuous willow is a worthy specimen for landscape design. Willow hedge

Weeping willow, spherical willow, willow, willow, willow, willow, basket weed, shelyuga, willow... All these names refer to the usual willows. Latin name– Salix. Willows appeared in the Cretaceous period, existed simultaneously with dinosaurs, but survived them due to their unpretentiousness to soils and frost resistance. More than 170 species - from Africa to the Arctic - serve people for weaving baskets, feeding livestock, in medicine, in leather tanning, and as a dye.

The beauty of willows was sung by poets and depicted on the canvases of artists, but was rarely used in landscaping.

Willows began to be actively used in landscape design in England in the 19th century, when the fashion for walking canals began. Plantings along the banks of reservoirs strengthened the shore. The stability of willows in flooded areas is known.

The wider distribution of white silver willows (Alba var. Sericea) in landscaping was hindered by the fact that they have a very dense crown. Windage is combined with the absence of a taproot. A strong wind can knock down a willow if it stands in an open area. This does not threaten young trees, but a tree aged 30-40 years often falls. In addition, all wild species of willows are extremely light-loving. Powerful, beautiful trees are usually found outside cities.

Particular attention of dendrologists to low-growing species has returned willows to streets and parks. However, Western European cultivars are poorly adapted to temperate latitudes. Heat-loving “sissies”: Iva Babylonskaya, Iva Matsuda, Iva Kanginskaya, Iva Hakuro Nishiki - despite their highest decorative qualities, they are not suitable for temperate latitudes.

Thanks to the work of Siberian breeders Marchenko and Shaburov, frost-resistant varieties with decorative qualities exceeding their Western European counterparts were obtained. The variety of forms is impressive: creeping, grass-like, drooping, spherical, bamboo-shaped, dwarf, winding, special for hedges, for basket weaving, etc. The Russian style in landscaping has received excellent planting material, and the number of its fans is increasing.

The increase in the varietal family of willows is facilitated by the own properties of the willow genus: almost every type of tree has a bush variety, cuttings easily take root on the trunk. Willow actively reproduces from a cut trunk and root splitting. Vines of 5 - 10 buds planted in the ground are regenerated without loss of varietal properties.

French winemakers invented a trellis fence for grapes. Willow branches are planted in the ground at a distance of 15 - 10 cm with a variable direction of inclination. The branches of the trunk are cut off, and the trees are tied at the crossroads. The result is a fence with diamond-shaped cells.

Wicker fences for climbing plants (Ukrainian “tyn”) look elegant. Pegs with a diameter of 2-3 cm are driven into the ground at a distance of 15 - 20 cm. Softer, thin rods are placed in the gaps, bending alternately to the left and to the right. Tall wicker fences look good. Low ones (10 - 30 cm) can serve as a retaining wall for small flower beds. They look spectacular with Violas, Armerias, Salvias, Poppy Sadov. The wattles, having dried out, are destroyed slowly, and when destroyed, they improve the soil.

For Beans, Peas, climbing Hedgehog Fruit, Morning Glory, you can create an original support in the form of a weapon pyramid. To do this, along the perimeter of a circle of 40–50 cm, several willows are grown from vines, bringing their trunks to the center and tying them together.

Willow can be woven in its sapling state. To do this, tree trunks standing almost closely at the age of 2-3 years are cleared of lateral shoots by pruning, and a “pigtail” knot is twisted from them. The procedure is repeated every subsequent year. A group of 3-4 trees will turn into something like a small elephant tree from the tropics.

Video review - willows in landscape design

Planting willows and care rules

Although willow is a moisture-loving tree, it does not tolerate stagnant water in the ground. Sand and peat in a 1:1 ratio are poured into a hole with parameters 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 m. A mixture of turf soil with sand and clay is possible. On heavy soils and large flat areas, lay a drainage layer of expanded clay or broken brick with sand with a layer thickness of approx. 15 cm. Work with seedlings is carried out in spring or summer. Cuttings - only in spring. A small tree needs abundant watering: after planting - every day for a week. Later, you can get by with one or two waterings per week. Superphosphate is poured either into the hole, or poured in the form of a solution onto moistened soil. In sunny places, sprinkling is advisable. In the shade, only root watering is done. During the formation of the root system, it is desirable to add peat. The depth of the root collar does not matter for willows.

Willows easily tolerate the proximity of lawn grasses (but not leeks!). However, it is advisable for young trees to carry out spring mulching. Bark, straw, and wilted grass will do. The layer must be loosened.
Fallen autumn leaves are removed to prevent diseases.

In green construction in temperate latitudes, purple willow “Nana” (Salix purpurea) occupies a special place, as it easily tolerates pruning and is shade-tolerant (one of the few varieties). It has bluish leaves, but spring bushes are showered with bright purple male inflorescences. The bushes of the variety can reach a height of 4 m. There is a weeping form of Pendula.

Planted by cuttings in a trench in a “goose step” manner. The trench width is 40 cm, the distance between cuttings in a row is 15 cm.

Varieties “Waterfall”, “Olympic flame”, “Globular dwarf” planted together with the lump, carefully removing the seedlings from the containers into a trench with a substrate. The distance between bushes is half a meter.

Norway willow is a tree reaching 8-m in height with a hemispherical crown. An excellent material for hedges. Pruning is done 2 times a year: after flowering and at the end of summer. Trim so that a bud remains at the end of the shoot. A holly willow hedge lasts 30 years.

Solitaire and group plantings of ball willows and more

A free-standing Norway willow is formed into an umbrella shape by pruning the branches that descend to the bottom. It has been growing for 70 years. Bamboo-like forms developed: "Record", "Schwerin Improved". Such willows are planted in small groups.

They look picturesque in groups of 3 - 4 pieces. brittle willow. A tree with an almost regular spherical shape. The trunk bark is dark. The shoots are bright green. The leaves are elongated, smooth with a point at the end. Effective without foliage. It grows poorly on sand, but on improved soils its decorative qualities are clearly expressed. Very frost-resistant species. Reaches a height of 20 m, maximum age is 50 years. Because of the beautiful “legs” of small shoots on the branches of the trunks, brittle willow is also called bubble willow (Bullata).

View Goat willow(Salix caprea Silberglanz) has an interesting inflorescence color: the spring catkins are white and heavily pubescent. Thanks to the hairs on the leaves, it turns silver in the light. Looks impressive against the background of dark junipers and spruce trees. Does not propagate by cuttings. But, nevertheless, this view gave greatest number varieties and hybrids. The weeping variety on the rootstock looks like a fountain with its long branches lowered to the ground. A common dwarf plant. Umbrella and spherical forms on high trunks with variegated leaves are interesting because of their three-color color: on each leaf a whitish field, a pink stripe and a milky green edging are visible. Variegated goat willow (variegate). There are round-leaved and oval-leaved goat willow hybrids. The densely planted, fleshy leaves of these hybrids look more like magnolia leaves and bear little resemblance to willow leaves.

Such dense corollas on stems will become successful accents on both sides of the entrance, a large plant among the flower garden.

Twisty Willow Ural– the tree is not tall, up to 3.5 m. Similar to its heat-loving counterpart – Iwa Matsuda. The ornateness of the new variety is observed both in the branches and in the leaves, even in the inflorescences.

Low, a few centimeters willow (polar Salix polaris, herbaceous Salix herbacea), their varieties and hybrids are planted on rocky hills and mixborders along walking alleys.

In combination with spruce and birch trees, decorative willows look especially convincing. Landscape designers using willows are reviving the traditions of the Russian style in landscaping.

Every gardener strives to decorate his plot, and one of the best options in this case would be to plant a willow tree. This is very beautiful tree with a spreading crown. Dwarf varieties, as well as specimens with shoots of unusual shape, are especially popular among gardeners.

Perhaps the most beautiful of all types of this tree is the Babylonian willow. It is called so because it has serpentine-shaped leaves and branches that twist very effectively. The trees usually have a large, beautiful, weeping crown, formed by thin flexible branches hanging almost to the ground. This type of willow will be a wonderful decoration for any park, lawn or garden. The tree looks very good either standing alone or in a group. The twisting willow looks great near the water. The dense crown of the tree will provide a wonderful shelter from the sun on a hot day and will be an excellent backdrop for lawns of any design. The low-growing and spreading Sverdlovsk willow can be used to create a hedge or a shady alley.

Willow grows well near water. Therefore, if there is a lake or river on your site, it will always delight you and your guests with its appearance.

When starting planting, you should first dig a hole about 40x40 cm. Fertilizers are added to it: compost, peat, manure and, if the soil is heavy, sand.

Caring for such a tree is quite simple: the tortuous willow tolerates pruning easily, which allows you to adjust the shape and spreading of the crown. This plant is resistant to diseases and pests. In harsh climates, and even in mid-latitudes during cold winters, it can freeze to the ground level and even die. Therefore, the tree should be covered for the winter. If you want to purchase a more frost-resistant variety, then the Ural sinuous willow is perfect. This look looks impressive all year round, as it has spiral-shaped shoots and twisted “curly” leaves. Such a plant can withstand severe frosts much better, and in the spring it will again delight with a thick crown.

Tortuous willow propagates by cuttings. To get a new tree, you need to take the branches, just dig them in and keep the soil moist. Willow usually forms roots quite quickly, and when it begins to grow, it can be transplanted to a permanent place.

When choosing, you should take into account that after two years such trees do not tolerate transplantation well. They lose their spreading nature and grow slowly. Willow should be planted to a depth of 10-15 cm. It is not afraid of deepening and easily produces adventitious roots. It is very important to water any willow well and abundantly. This rule is especially true for recently transplanted plants that have not yet had time to form a full-fledged root system.

There are many varieties and hybrid combinations of willows. The main contribution to the formation of a large number of varieties of these plants was made by the scientist-breeder Veniamin Ivanovich Shaburov. Among the huge variety of willows, every gardener will be able to choose a suitable specimen for himself and decorate his plot with this beautiful tree.

The plant could only be found in parks, on the banks of lakes and rivers. Nowadays, many landscape designers recommend willows, especially in those garden plots where there are artificial ponds, manicured lawns, and decorative bridges.

Agree, the dwarf globular willow is a beautiful sight, and what can we say about the twisting one?

Known in nature different kinds iv:

weeping;
dwarf;
tall;
tortuous;
bush.

Let's pay attention to one of the decorative varieties these trees - a twisting willow.

Sinuous willow: planting and care

The twisting willow is known to domestic gardeners as the Matsuda form and the Ural form. Matsuda is endowed with spiral-shaped shoots, whose foliage curls slightly. This tree is difficult to care for.

She is especially annoyed by frosts. For this reason, Matsuda's twisting willow should be planted in windless areas and covered for the winter. This tree loves good lighting. If Matsuda is not covered for the winter, she may freeze to the level of the snow cover. While creating good conditions it can reach 3.5 meters in height.

The Ural twisted willow is more adapted to the local climate. Her beauty is no less than Matsuda's. The height of the tree does not exceed 3.5 meters. It retains its properties throughout the year.

The shoots of the tree are spiral-shaped, in the shade the color is gray-greenish, and in sunlight they acquire a brown color and gloss. The Ural curly willow tolerates pruning of branches well. Since pruning can be done painlessly at any time of the year, this tree is suitable for organizing hedges.

Using willow as a garden decoration

A low-growing bush willow, not exceeding 1.5 m in height, is more suitable for garden decoration. A weeping willow or one with a spherical shape gives no less of a decorative effect. It will be useful to know that bush forms of willows tolerate frosts better, unlike other varieties.

Since ancient times, willow twigs have been a natural material for creating decorative elements in a garden or personal plot.

Wicker furniture, household utensils or hedges can add personality to the landscape, but a special effect can be achieved by using willow cuttings. By growing them and gradually adjusting them and setting the direction, you can create:

hedges;
figures;
entire ensembles;
gazebos;
arches;
pyramids.

Pruning the climbing willow is a desirable procedure.

If a tortuous willow seedling has found a place in your garden plot, then you should familiarize yourself with the rules for caring for it and methods of propagation.

Care and reproduction

The first thing to take into account is that willow trees and shrubs love moisture. For this reason, they are planted near water bodies and in well-lit places. All of their species are not picky tall-growing plants. By choosing the right place, you can avoid being too distracted by care.

Diseases and pests

Although this type of tree is not very attractive, some diseases weeping willow and pests must be identified.

Buy willow “Sverdlovskaya Ivilistaya I” in Voronezh with delivery throughout Russia wholesale and retail at the Florini nursery.

Willow “Sverdlovskaya Twisty I”

Tree, 4 meters high.

The crown is spherical, medium density, moderate weeping. The color of the shoots is olive or reddish-brown, the shoots are slightly pubescent.

It is distinguished by a combination of weeping and tortuosity of shoots and leaves. The tortuosity of the leaves is greater than that of Babylonian willow, which is one of the parents for this variety.

The leaves are light green and slightly pubescent on top, and glaucous and moderately pubescent below. Male clone.

Willow planting

1. For seedlings with a closed root system, purchased in containers or simply with a ball of earth, there are no strict time limits for planting. They can be planted in any season, regardless of weather conditions, the main thing is the ability to dig holes.
2. It is advisable to plant seedlings with bare roots immediately after purchase. You should buy bare-root plants before buds open or after leaf fall. If you need to postpone this event for a while, you can temporarily bury them in some shaded place, or wrap the root system in damp textiles, or place the roots in a plastic bag.
The hole for planting should be twice as large as the root ball. Loosen the soil properly to promote root growth. Carefully remove the seedling from the container. The plant may remain in the container for too long, causing its roots to become entangled. This is not a bad thing, but the roots need to be untwisted before planting and several vertical cuts need to be made across the ball to encourage new root growth to be properly oriented. Then we put the plant in the hole and fill it with either dug up soil or using additives.
Deciduous shrubs are best planted deeper. In this case, they form additional roots on the branches, which stimulates the germination of a large number of fresh shoots.
After planting, pat down the soil around the plant so the roots have direct contact with the soil. Then you need to water the plant well.

Willow propagation

Wild willows reproduce by seeds; in cultivation, the plant is most often propagated by cuttings or layering. A plant grown from a cutting retains all the varietal characteristics of the parent species.

Growing and care

In order for willows to develop quickly and look attractive, you should know the individual needs of these plants and the features of caring for them. Growing willow requires the most attention during the first time after planting.

Watering

Weeping willow is a moisture-loving plant, so it needs frequent watering and spraying. Young plants grow very quickly, especially in the first years of life; some varieties are capable of growing up to 3 meters per year. Seedlings are watered once a week, at the rate of 2-5 buckets of water per plant. Watering is done early in the morning or in the evening, after sunset. When watering, water is poured not only under the root, but also onto the crown of the plant.

Fertilizer

At the beginning of the growing season, the soil under the willow is loosened and mulched with peat. The plant is fed with complex fertilizers. In total, 2-3 such feedings are carried out per season, the last feeding is carried out in July. In the second half of August, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are applied under the willows.

Do not leave fallen willow leaves under the tree, as they contain tannins that will adversely affect the development of the plant.

Trimming

For the first 2-3 years, the willow grows uncontrollably and does not need to be pruned. Then the tree or shrub rises and it becomes necessary to shape it. Best time for formative pruning of willow - spring, after the end of flowering. The exception is dry branches frozen over the winter or broken, which are cut off in early spring.

Don’t be afraid to cut willow branches; it won’t cause any harm to the plant. Branches of decorative species are pruned by 10-20 cm, then lateral shoots are formed from the remaining upper buds, and the plant acquires an attractive dense crown. Mature trees are pruned annually by cutting off their long branches hanging to the ground at a height of 2 m from the ground. By pruning, one achieves both a spherical or umbrella-shaped appearance of shrubs and trees, and a regular rectangular shape when planting willows as a hedge.

Diseases and pests of willow

Among the fungal diseases found on willow are: powdery mildew, rust, various types of spots, scab. The appearance and development of fungal diseases is facilitated by increased humidity resulting from long-term rainy weather. To combat such diseases decorative varieties willows are treated with fungicides for prevention twice a season - in spring and autumn, and also during the season when the first signs of the disease are detected. Tall tree varieties are pruned so that their branches do not touch the ground. Fungal spores overwinter in fallen leaves and infect plants again in the spring. Without timely control, fungal colonies grow and the willow may die.

The twisting willow surprises everyone who sees it for the first time. The thought arises: “How did you manage to bend all the branches like that?” Distinctive feature These trees and shrubs have twisting trunks, branches, thin twigs and twisted leaves. The decorative value of the plant is very high. You can admire it both in summer and winter.

The tortuous willow tolerates pruning well and allows you to “sculpt” masterpieces from it landscape design. Lovers of garden bonsai will also appreciate this plant. Curved willow branches decorate hanging baskets and winter bouquets.

The most famous among fans still remains willow matsudana, or Matsuda willow. This is what is most often sold in numerous garden centers. However, it is better adapted to our climate tortuous willow Sverdlovsk (Ural) selection.

Twisty willows are different

Willow tortuous matsudana, or Matsuda (Salix matsudana). Twisty matsudana is grown in many countries. IN Western Europe it often grows in forests and parks. She feels great there.

Among our amateur gardeners, the decorative form of matsudana is popular - "Tortuosa" (f. tortuosa). It is grown in the form of a low tree or a tall bush. One of the features of "Tortuosa" is a slightly sinuous trunk and strongly arched branches with pistachio-gray bark. The leaves are twisted in a curl and a spiral.

We have several Tortuosa trees growing on our site. First, we planted a tiny seedling purchased from a nursery near Moscow. We chose an open place for it so that we could admire the amazing shape of the branches from afar. Willow lived there no more than five years. It has grown into a charming tree with a thick trunk and funny branches. She was destroyed either by frost, or by an icy northeast wind and severe spring frosts. In one day, all the leaves turned black, the ends of the branches began to dry out, and then the branches themselves. New leaves grew and immediately dried up. No resuscitation procedures helped.

The cuttings of this tortuosa have taken root and grown into trees, the shape of which I maintain by pruning. Those cuttings that we gave to friends also became beautiful, tall trees. They were able to survive because they were planted in places protected from the wind, surrounded on all sides by other trees and shrubs.

Our friends note the low winter hardiness of tortuous willow "Erythroflexuosa", which occasionally goes on sale.

Sverdlovsk tortuous willows. Willows of the Ural selection, bred in the Botanical Garden of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Sverdlovsk (Ekaterinburg) by the famous breeder V.I., are more suitable for the Russian climate. Shaburov. His daughter I.V. took part in the work. Belyaeva. These willows also have highly twisted branches and curled leaves. The color of the bark is olive or reddish-brown. There are modifications: low-growing willows with a weeping and pyramidal shape.

Among the twisting willows of the Sverdlovsk selection there are more and less winter-hardy. A friend of mine tried unsuccessfully to grow a tree. I had to be content with a bush.

"Sverdlovskaya winding 1". It is worth paying attention to this frost-resistant willow up to 4 meters high with a weakly expressed weeping form. The shoots are moderately weeping, reddish-brown. It is decorative, hardy and unpretentious. Propagated better by short cuttings.

"Sverdlovskaya winding 2". The tree (up to 12 meters high) is strong, with a pyramidal crown consisting of winding branches. The bark color ranges from olive to brown. The light green leaves have slight pubescence. Rooting rate of cuttings is 100%.

"Sverdlovskaya winding 3". Tree height up to 5 meters. The crown shape is wide-pyramidal, of medium density. The light olive curved branches are covered with a waxy coating, or rather, an exfoliating film of plaque. The leaves are sinuous. The rooting rate of cuttings is very high. Many people note the relative low vitality of this twisting willow and the drying out of the tree tops. Work on it continues.

"Sverdlovskaya winding 476". This is a low, winter-hardy, twisting willow (in the description up to 1.8 m, dendrologists indicate a height of up to 3 m). The crown shape is oval. The light olive bark of the branches is covered with a flaking waxy coating. Young shoots are thin, reddish-brown. The rooting rate of cuttings is 90%.

"Sverdlovskaya winding 576". A low tree with a weeping crown. Repeats many of the qualities of “Sverdlovskaya winding 476”.

"Sverdlovskaya winding 676". A low winter-hardy tree up to 2.5 meters high (sometimes grows up to 3.5 meters) with a weeping form.

Growing twisted willow

Place. Tortuous willow, especially matsudana, should not be planted where the wind blows; it especially does not like the northeast wind. It is better to surround the willow with other trees and shrubs. I replanted the young matsudana willows several times until I found suitable locations for them.

We have two tortuous willows of Sverdlovsk selection growing on our site. They are grown from cuttings, so it is not yet possible to accurately determine their exact name. These trees with obvious weeping “inclinations” grow along a blank fence that protects them from the north wind.

Frost resistance. Matsudana willow is only conditionally frost-resistant. In some winters with severe frosts, there may be freezing of that part of the bush or tree that is above the level of the snow cover. I know amateur gardeners who insulate their young willows at the end of autumn. This is only possible as long as the plant is not tall. I gave up insulating the matsudana willow after I transplanted the trees to more protected places on the site. There they are covered from the wind, and the root system and Bottom part trunks are under the snow.

When insulating matsudana willow for the winter, there is a danger of damping off. Is it worth wrapping the trunk tightly with lutrasil (especially in several layers) if there are frequent thaws in the snowy winter? The bark rots under wet lutrasil. Especially if the trunk wrapped in it long time is in a melting snowdrift.

On the matsudan willow "Tortuosa" the blossoming leaves are often burned by May frosts. Icy northeast winds in a frosty winter are too serious a test. Willow does not always tolerate it.

The tortuous willow of the Sverdlovsk (Ural) selection feels better.

Pruning and crown formation. Pruning is one of the most interesting aspects of caring for twisting willows. Without garden shears and pruning shears, the tree becomes very thick, so at least corrective pruning is needed. If you have time and desire, then you should not limit yourself to minimal pruning, because you can create a real masterpiece from the tortuous willow. Which? It depends on whether we want to admire the interlacing of branches or create an openwork crown of a certain shape. There are many other options.

There is an opinion that the tortuous willow should be cut down into a stump every spring, then it will not freeze, but will grow as a bush. Perhaps for many lovers this the best option have an original shrub with twisting branches on your site.

The tortuous willow is a godsend for garden bonsai lovers. You can “age” a tree and give it the most incredible shape, with only a pruning shears in your hands. No garters will be needed, since nature has taken over this job.

Reproduction. The tortuous willow takes cuttings well. It’s enough to stick a sprig of it (no need to take the thinnest tips) in a shady place in the area and don’t forget to water it. It is better to root with short cuttings. The roots produce cuttings not only in the ground, but also in water.

It is believed that willow drives out evil spirits and protects against bad people. Whether this is so, everyone decides for himself. But regarding the decorativeness of winding willows, the opinion is clear: they are spectacular and decorate any area.

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