Sverdlovsk willow 1 planting and care. The tortuous willow is a worthy specimen for landscape design. The easiest way to have a beautiful front lawn

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. Main contribution to the formation large quantity The varieties of these plants were introduced 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.

It grows quickly, is light-loving, sensitive to low temperatures, and demanding of soil fertility and moisture. Propagated by lignified cuttings.

It has an unusually decorative twisted (f. tortuosa) shape - with serpentine-curved, ascending, olive-green shoots, growing in the form of a low shrub with a wide pyramidal openwork crown. In culture since 1925. Of no less interest for ornamental gardening is hybrid of Matsuda willow and Babylonian willow(S. matsudana x S. babylonica), which has the appearance of a tree with a weeping crown and yellowish-red flowing, serpentine-curved shoots.

Due to the high decorative qualities, the main and hybrid types and the especially convoluted form are one of the most interesting plants for landscaping. They can be used in single plantings and to create original landscape corners. Fantastically curved shoots are an excellent material for creating flower arrangements. The main species in culture since 1905.

Iva Matsudana - Salix matsudana Koidz. - a slender tree (sometimes up to 10-13m high) or shrub with an openwork, wide-pyramidal crown, an even, low-running trunk. The natural habitat of this exotic plant is China and Korea.

Willow branches and leaves

This willow will appeal to those who love unusual plants. It has an unusually decorative twisted (f. tortuosa) shape - with serpentine-curved, ascending, olive-green shoots. Even its leaves curl into incomplete spirals. Matsudana willow has a genetically inherent ability for its branches to twist, due to which the plant takes on a bizarre shape. This is due to the fact that as it grows, the thickening of the branches and trunks of this willow occurs unevenly.

Young thin shoots are slightly pubescent, yellowish-olive, later bare, brown. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, up to ten centimeters in length, long-pointed, obtuse at the base. Earrings up to two centimeters, on long pubescent legs, bloom along with the blossoming of the leaves.
It grows quickly, is light-loving, and demanding of soil fertility and moisture. Matsudana willow has fairly deep roots and easily copes with drought on its own.

Willow care

Matsudana willow may not withstand severe frosts, so it is recommended only for southern regions.

In central Russia, it is recommended to cover plants for the winter, since the branches of this type of willow can freeze slightly, but in the spring they quickly grow and by the end of summer they grow up to 2 meters, without losing their decorative properties. You can suggest pruning to a stump after a frosty winter, even if the frosting of the shoots is higher

Willow planting

Matsudana willow is propagated by green cuttings in open ground almost the entire growing season. When planting, it is advisable to choose a place protected from northern winds. Willow is considered a plant that expels evil spirits and removes damage.

It is unusually decorative with its intricately curved shoots, which are readily used not only by landscape designers (usually in single plantings), but also by arrangers in compositions of any style.

The bark of the branches is light yellow, the long, spiky foliage is an emerald hue.

from various Internet sources

One of the most popular ornamental trees in Russia is the tortuous willow. It is a beautiful tree that suits almost all landscapes and requires little maintenance. It looks great as a tapeworm and in group plantings, and is suitable for landscaping summer cottages and garden plots. Brings harmony and tranquility to any vacation spot.

Description of the twisting willow

A general description of the tortuous willow includes an important distinctive feature- a curved trunk, branches and twisted narrow leaves. The decorative shape of the branches contributes to the widespread use of the variety to create garden and original landscape compositions. Willow tolerates pruning well, which allows you to adjust the shape and density of the crown. Now we will look at the most common decorative varieties, which are widely used in landscape design.

Matsudana tortuous willow is very popular among gardeners. This is a medium-sized tree or bush, growing up to 4 - 13 m in height and up to 7 m in width. Its crown can be shaped as it grows, and it responds well to pruning. The leaves are narrow, oblong, 5–10 cm long, green above, blue or white below, wrapped in incomplete spirals. The flowering period occurs in March-April. It tolerates almost all garden soils, but grows better in moderately moist, sandy-clay soils. Willow Matsudana requires mandatory corrective pruning, otherwise the crown becomes too thick.

The plant is very unpretentious, but for its good development it needs a lot of moisture and light. It should not be planted in a draft; the cold north wind has a particularly negative effect on it.

The winter hardiness of the species is satisfactory: in severe frosts, areas that are not protected by snow cover may freeze. Many gardeners advise additional insulation of this plant in winter.

The Sverdlovsk sinuous willow of the Ural selection is better suited for our climate. The tree has a height of 2 - 4 m. The crown is oval or broadly oval, sometimes consisting of several thin trunks, of medium density, slightly weeping. Its spiral-shaped shoots of greenish-olive or red-brown color become glossy brown in the sun. The leaves are light green, slightly pubescent on top, and bluish below, moderately pubescent.

The Ural sinuous willow is relatively undemanding in terms of soil fertility. It loves light, so planting is recommended in open sunny areas with moist soil. The plant is highly frost-resistant and can easily withstand harsh winters. It is slightly affected by pests and fungal diseases and tolerates pruning well.

Willow tortuous in landscape design

No one will be left indifferent by the various photos of winding willows in garden plots. These trees look great all year round, even in winter, so they will be an excellent decoration for any garden.

The Matsudana willow has a thick, twisting trunk and thin, brittle branches. This is due to uneven thickening of the branches and trunk during growth. Young shoots are slightly pubescent and olive in color; over time they become bare and brown. The rich reddish-brown color of the branches is especially noticeable in winter, when the plant is dormant. The decorative nature of the Sverdlovsk willow lies in its wide oval crown, which consists of several thin trunks with twisting, slightly weeping shoots and curled leaves.

The tree looks great both alone and in a group. Used to create decorative permanent and seasonal compositions. The decorative winding willow looks great near the pond. The dense crown is a wonderful shelter from the sun's rays and an excellent background for decorating lawns.

Willow has a very well developed root system, so such trees are often used to strengthen sandy soil and the banks of artificial reservoirs.

Planting and caring for twisting willow

In order for a young seedling to grow into a spectacular tree, it must be properly cared for. Planting and caring for tortuous willow is not particularly difficult. The main requirement for the location of the willow is a place where there will be a lot of sunlight. Almost all types of willows need moisture, so it is better to plant them close.

This plant is propagated by cuttings. Let's look at how to plant it correctly.

First you need to cut the cuttings, dig them into the soil and keep it moist.
The root system of willow forms very quickly. And after its formation, you can transplant the cutting to a permanent place.
When starting planting, you need to dig a hole and fertilize the soil with compost, peat or manure. For heavy soil, it is advisable to add sand.
The cuttings need to be planted to a depth of 10-15 cm. They will quickly develop adventitious roots in the ground.
The plant should be watered thoroughly until it forms a full root system.

Almost all types of willows grow and take root well. But you need to take into account that two-year-old plants tolerate transplantation much worse. Therefore, it is advisable to replant only young seedlings.

Caring for tortuous willow is quite simple. As a rule, these trees are unpretentious, do not get sick and are not affected by pests.

The main rule is that willow needs moisture. This is especially true for recently transplanted plants, with an unformed full-fledged root system.

Pruning is the most interesting part of caring for twisting willows. Without it, the tree becomes very thick. Therefore, you definitely need at least a corrective haircut. With the help of pruning, you can easily adjust the shape and density of the crown to make a real masterpiece out of the twisting willow.

It should be taken into account that in frosty winters the Matsudana willow can freeze to the ground level, so in winter the tree should be covered. The Ural sinuous one withstands severe frosts much better, therefore it is more suitable for harsh climates.

Video about tortuous willow

The tortuous willow is an unusual plant, the thin branches and trunk of which are curved, and the leaves are twisted, which is caused by uneven thickening of the shoots during growth. Planting a willow with such decorative qualities on a site will not only transform it, but also add color and exoticism at any time of the year. This tree is well shaped by pruning, making it easy to give it the desired shape, for example, turning it into a standard or garden bonsai. Curved shoots are often used by florists to create arrangements or dried bouquets. Blooms with inconspicuous yellow flowers. Most common in China and Korea.

Types of tortuous willow

The most popular type among landscape designers is Matsudana willow (it is most often sold in gardening centers and is common in many countries) and one of its forms is Tortuosa. Sometimes you can see the Erythroflexuosa species in stores, but it needs to be covered for the winter. The Sverdlovskaya twisting willow, with olive or dark red bark, is best adapted to the conditions of central Russia. Variations of this species: a dwarf tree with a weeping or pyramidal crown.

Willow became attractive to Russian gardeners thanks to the work of breeder V.I. Shaburov, who bred many hybrids ideal for the middle zone. They received the names Sverdlovsk or Ural. Varieties of Sverdlovsk willow are cold-resistant; many of them are time-tested and have been growing in our latitudes for 50 years. They are resistant to diseases and pests, resilient and tolerate frost well. In addition, it is difficult to remain indifferent and not fall in love with the tortuous willow for its unusualness and high decorative properties.

Popular varieties of Sverdlovsk selection:

Sverdlovskaya sinuous 1 - frost-resistant variety, reaches a height of up to 4 meters, the crown is moderately weeping, the shoots are brown in color. It has a decorative appearance, high endurance, and caring for it is not difficult. Propagates well from cuttings.
Sverdlovskaya sinuous 2 - spreading tree, growing up to 12 meters, pyramidal crown, curved branches. The bark comes in various shades: from olive to red-brown. Foliage with pubescence. It is easy to take cuttings, shoots take root quickly, usually without loss.
Sverdlovsk sinuous 3 - a tree up to 5 meters high with a pyramidal crown and light olive branches with a waxy coating. The leaves are curved. It propagates well by cuttings; shoots can be rooted in water. But this variety quite often dries out the tops.
Sverdlovskaya sinuous 476 is a low winter-hardy variety that grows up to 3 meters with an oval crown and olive bark.
Sverdlovsk sinuous 676 - a low tree up to 2.5 meters high, winter-hardy, weeping crown.

Growing and care in open ground

The advantages of this tree include not only its decorative appearance, but also its endurance, ease of propagation and easy care. Having decided to plant willow on a plot, especially the Matsudana species, you need to choose the right plot: it must be protected from winds, especially from the north, and growing near a fence is permissible. Better to surround her with others tall plants. Planting tortuous willow was originally used in landscape design to strengthen the banks of rivers and lakes, so it can be planted in flooded areas.

Tip: to prevent the willow from forming a one-sided crown, there should be a lot of free space around it.

Growing Matsudana is possible in almost any type of soil, but it prefers loamy soil. Willow can be planted in a place where the groundwater is fairly shallow, because it prefers damp places. Willow will feel good on the shore of an artificial reservoir. It is better that the area is well lit by the sun. A hole for planting is dug with a diameter of about half a meter and a slightly shallower depth. It is better to put a nutrient mixture of sand, mineral fertilizer and rotted manure or compost at the bottom.

Willow can be planted in a container from spring to autumn; it takes root well if you do not overdry the earthen ball. It is best to plant a plant with an open root system in early spring or mid-autumn, when there are no leaves or they have already begun to fall off. All foliage should be removed before planting in October. Care during the first year consists of regular watering - about 25 liters of water per week will be required. When the willow takes root, moderate moisture will be enough. Fertilizing is done with organic fertilizers approximately three times throughout the entire season. You can apply mineral fertilizers, including superphosphate.

This tree is frost-resistant, but in particularly harsh winters it can freeze, so some gardeners prefer to additionally insulate it. The species Matsudana Tortuosa may freeze during the sudden drop in temperature in May. The most resistant to sudden cold snaps is the Sverdlovsk willow, which is sometimes sold under the guise of Matsudana.

Advice: there is a danger of overgrowth, so you do not need to cover the willow too tightly with dense material during wintering.

Pruning and propagation

Caring for the tortuous willow includes annual pruning and crown formation, as it thickens very quickly. Willow on a trunk looks very impressive. Some gardeners believe that this tree should be cut down to the stump every spring to avoid freezing and achieve a bushy form. For those who like, twisted willow is a real gift. It can be bent in any way you like and even artificially aged.

There is nothing complicated in propagating this plant - usually 100% of the cuttings take root simply in a jar of water. The tree grows very quickly and the growth will still have to be removed - there will be no shortage of planting material. You can stick the branches into the muddy ground: this way they can also take root, and practically no care is required for them.

Willow loves moisture, so you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out. It is better to take shoots that are not too long for cuttings. Plants grown from cuttings grow slowly for the first two years of life, but from the third year their growth rate doubles. Such young trees make a good hedge.

Diseases and pests rarely attack this plant. After a wet summer, it may develop a fungal infection, causing black spots to appear on the leaves. To treat, you need to treat the tree with copper-containing preparations. Of the insects, the tree suffers most from butterflies, beetles or aphids.

The tortuous willow is not just decorative, but also useful:

You can cook from its leaves healthy tea, which has tonic properties.
A decoction of the bark is used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.
A weak solution of the bark is used to treat brittle hair.
When planted near the road, this tree can retain about 40 kg of dust in one summer.
Willow is able to absorb heavy metals, purifying the space around itself.

Conclusion: tortuous willow is a highly decorative plant, unusual in shape and attracting the attention of every gardener. Caring for it is very simple; in the first year it requires abundant watering, but then it can be reduced. The tree is fed three times a season with organic matter or mineral fertilizers.

The most common types of tortuous willow: Matsudana and hybrids of Sverdlovsk selection. The latter are frost-resistant, hardy, and therefore better suited for central Russia. Reproduction of this plant will also not cause problems - cuttings easily take root in water or moist soil.

The willow genus (Salix) includes more than 600 species of trees and shrubs varying in size, shape and growth rate.

The common features of all species are thin and flexible branches, narrow lanceolate leaves, pointed, adorned with earring-shaped inflorescences of various colors. All willows are light-loving; when planting, you should choose partial shade or a sunny place, then they will grow quickly and retain a more saturated color of the crown. Willows are undemanding in terms of soil composition, but they do need moisture. Willow is a moisture-loving plant that naturally grows along ponds and in moist lowland soils. It requires the same in the garden: it does not tolerate drought, and in the absence of a reservoir, regular watering is necessary.

Common willow or Salix matsudana

This is a large shrub - a very decorative tree with sinuous ascending branches, which is valued for its exceptional decorativeness and rapid growth rate. It can reach a height of 8 meters, the crown diameter ranges from 2.5 to 3 meters. Unlike ordinary varieties of willow, this decorative tree has long lanceolate leaves that curl in a spiral, which makes it an excellent decoration for landscape compositions. In winter, it pleases the eye with unusual yellow bark. Suitable for both suburban and urban plantings, as it is resistant to pollution environment, does not require shelter for the winter even in the conditions of the Siberian winter, and is undemanding to the soil.
For planting, you should choose places in partial shade or in the sun; willow feels great near bodies of water. It blooms with gray inconspicuous flowers that appear along with the first foliage; catkins remain on the tree until the leaves fall.

Yellow weeping willow or Salix alba ‘Tristis’

A large shrub or tree reaching up to 15 meters in height, the crown diameter ranges from 15 to 20 m. This is the most famous species of willow, with long, vertically hanging graceful branches. Flowering begins with the leaves opening in May. Yellow catkins appear on the branches, which over time acquire a reddish tint. It is good to tolerate haircuts and crown formation. The color of the crown is yellowish, which explains the name of this species.

Purple willow Nana or Salix purpurea "Nana"

It is distinguished by its small semi-circular bush size, thinner, more numerous shoots than the main species, and small silver-green leaves. This is a shrub up to 1.5 m high, with a diameter of up to 1.5 - 2 m. The crown is widely spread, semicircular. The shoots are thinner than those of the main species, glabrous, brown with a reddish tint and a bluish coating. It blooms in March-April before the leaves bloom or almost simultaneously with them. Flowering is not very decorative.
The leaves are smaller than those of the main species, almost opposite, oblanceolate, narrow, finely pointed at the top, bluish-gray or silvery-green. Winter hardiness is high. Photophilous. Grows on soils of varying fertility. Reaches best development on moist and fertile soils. Tolerates prolonged flooding. Drought resistant. Can grow in very dry conditions. To obtain ornamental plants, it is recommended to plant them in lighted areas; in shaded areas, the crown stretches and thins. The root system is highly developed and strengthens the soil well. Tolerates pruning well. To maintain the crown in a more decorative state, pruning in early spring is recommended. Used for decoration and strengthening coastline reservoirs, to create tree and shrub groups, especially in areas flooded with spring waters. Good for low trimmed hedges, as well as for creating various geometric shapes in a small garden.

Goat willow

Goat willow, other names Bredina and Rakita (from the Latin Salix caprea) is a tree or shrub. The plant got its name due to the love of goats and sheep to feast on the succulent foliage of the tree. The natural range of goat willow is quite wide and stretches across the entire territory of the Eurasian continent, with the exception of the alpine belt and tundra. This plant has become quite widespread in landscape design today. Many landscape designers use it when decorating their garden plots. The plant is unpretentious and can be planted in almost any location. climatic conditions and it will grow to the desired size. The most common species that is found in the natural landscape near water bodies. The unprepossessing tree is loved by goats and sheep. On personal plots you can find a standard form of willow, the height of which reaches 3 m. Weeping willow is a fast-growing tree, therefore it is ideal for landscaping country houses and summer cottages. Rakita was called weeping for its flowing branches that form a lush crown that seems to be crying. Just like the Pendula broom, the weeping willow is frost-resistant. The tree blooms in early spring with pleasantly smelling yellow inflorescences.

Willow Kurai or Ledebura

Shrub up to 2.5-4 m tall, with a beautiful openwork crown of thin and flexible hanging branches, covered with a matte coating and covered with narrow bluish foliage. Especially good at young (under 10 years) age. It is durable, requires periodic rejuvenation by planting on a stump, after which it grows even more luxuriantly. Used in group plantings and to create hedges.

Willow hedge

A hedge is a decorative living fence that will protect an area from the street, road, stray animals, and will delimit the area both from neighbors and by zones. You can fence the area around the outer perimeter, or you can arrange small hedges inside, for example, to separate the garden from the recreation area.
Shrubby willow is an excellent material for hedges.

Advantages of willow in a hedge:

- easily takes root;
- tolerates soil depletion well;
- quickly recovers after pruning;
— easily propagated by cuttings;
— tolerates winter and cold winds well;
— due to the characteristics of the crown, it protects the area well from the wind, even in winter;
— improves the soil in the place where it grows;
- ease of care.

Minuses:

— demanding on humidity;

There are many types of willow hedges. You can simply create a solid fence or make it openwork by planting cuttings along the frame. In any case, seedlings are planted at a distance of 20 cm from each other; seedlings with ZKS are planted throughout the year, seedlings with an open root - only in early spring. Willow is a patient plant, and takes root in almost 100% of cases, but it should be remembered that even it requires simple care in the first year after planting: mandatory watering throughout the season, weeding of weeds and grass (they can “strangle” a young seedling), fertilizing with appropriate fertilizers two to three times during the growing season. The first trimming is done the following year, in the spring, and then the hedge is trimmed twice a year - in spring and at the end of summer.

View the price of willow seedlings

See also: deciduous shrubs, coniferous trees

Iva Matsudana: planting and care, photo

Most people know only one tree called willow - the weeping willow. But in nature there are many different types this plant, such as Matsudana willow. A photo of this beauty is now in front of you. Among its relatives, it stands out for its unusual beauty.
You will not see such twisted, twisted branches with silver-olive rolled leaves on any tree. Such decorative beauty is created not by human hands, but by nature itself. The color of the leaves changes with each season, thanks to which the garden in which this miracle of nature “lives” turns into a real fairy-tale place. If you decide to “settle” a tree such as Matsudana willow on your property, planting and caring for this plant will not be a very difficult task for you. And if you plant not one, but several garden beauties, then you can make a Japanese version; instead of the usual sakura in Japan, the Matsudana Japanese willow will delight you with its abundant and beautiful color.

Iva Matsudana: photo, description

In open ground, Matsudana has the appearance of a tree, the height of which is about 8 meters, and the branching crown is about 5 meters in diameter. The willow crown is very beautiful, openwork, wide-pyramidal in shape.

Young shoots of a yellowish-olive color have a slight pubescence; after a while they become bare and acquire a brown color. The leaves are lanceolate and can grow up to 10 cm in length. The earring flowers are small, about two centimeters in length. Flowering begins simultaneously with the appearance of leaves.

Iwa Matsudana: reproduction

Matsudana, like all its relatives, grows very quickly; in the first years of life, the tree’s growth per year is about 1 meter, then an adult plant adds 50-60 cm per year. So, in order to plant these beautiful plants in your garden plants, a lot of time and effort is not required.

Matsudana tortuous willow does not form root suckers, so the plant cannot be propagated this way. Reproduction by seed is also ineffective. You can use division of the bush, but cuttings have proven to be the best.

Cuttings form roots very easily and quickly, so the cutting method can be said to be quite simple. You need to take lignified cuttings about a finger thick, plant them in nutritious soil in the spring and water them. Very soon the cuttings will grow roots and you will be able to see the first young shoots. Thin cuttings should not be used for propagation, as they take root much worse.

Landing

Although Matsudana willow is unpretentious to the soil, it grows best on light and medium loams. Like all willows, it easily tolerates close proximity groundwater. When choosing a place for a Japanese beauty, you need to take into account that she loves the sun, so “place” her in the open sun rays place. At the same time, willow does not tolerate places where the wind blows freely; gusts of north-east wind are especially destructive for it. It is best to plant Matsudana surrounded by other trees and shrubs, thereby protecting it.

To plant willow, you need to dig a hole measuring 50 by 50 cm, 40 cm deep. Then prepare a soil mixture, which should consist of equal proportions of soil, compost or rotted manure and peat. Depending on the soil, sand up to 20% and complex mineral fertilizers can be added to the soil. Fill the hole dug for planting halfway with the prepared mixture, mix the soil thoroughly. If you plan to plant several plants to create an alley or hedge, then immediately prepare a whole trench 50 cm wide and 40 cm deep.

If the seedlings have a closed root system, then they easily take root at any time of the year; they can be safely planted from April to October. Only in this case you need to ensure that the lump and roots are not overdried. This rule does not apply to all seedlings; bare-rooted plants are recommended to be planted in early spring, before the buds open, or in mid-autumn, when the leaves begin to fall off. When planting seedlings in October, it is necessary to remove all leaves.

In the first year of planting, the young plant needs abundant regular watering. Depending on the size of the willow, you will need from 20 to 50 liters of water once every two weeks. If the air temperature is too high, during the dry period the tree must be watered every seven days.

Willow globulus: features of growing in open ground

When the willow gets stronger, moderate irrigation will be enough for it.

Care

The real decoration of the garden is the Matsudana willow. Caring for the plant is simple, but some rules must be followed. As mentioned earlier, the tree is completely unpretentious, capable of withstanding both frost and drought with a little help from humans. An adult willow has very deep roots, so during drought it copes with the lack of moisture by feeding in the depths of the soil. In autumn, it is necessary to remove fallen leaves from the area. In summer or autumn, grafted trees must be cleared of wild growth.

Top dressing

Matsudana willow already grows quickly, but if it is properly fed, it will much sooner begin to delight its owners with its extraordinary rare beauty. This plant loves best when it is “treated” to organic matter. During spring and summer, it is recommended to apply complex fertilizers two or three times; at the end of August, you need to add potassium sulfate and superphosphate.

Trimming

A very branchy tree is the Matsudana willow; pruning its lush crown is simply necessary both for the purpose of caring for the plant and for the purpose of creating a beautiful decorative form. Pruning is one of the most interesting stages of caring for a climbing willow tree. Without a “haircut,” Matsudana becomes very thick, so you definitely need to do at least corrective pruning.

For creative people pruning this tree turns into a real creation of a masterpiece. You can “age” a willow and use pruning shears to create the most bizarre shape; you can give the lush crown a standard shape.

Every spring, many plant lovers cut a twisting willow onto a stump; as a result of this cutting, the willow does not freeze out, but grows as a bush. This original bush with beautifully curved branches looks very beautiful in any area.

Young shoots need to be periodically pruned in order to form the kind of crown that you want to see in the garden; there are many pruning options. Matsudana does not require any garters, this is the work of nature itself.

The twisting willow tolerates pruning well and allows you to “sculpt” all sorts of shapes from its branches.

Thanks to its beautiful branches, willow is used by designers in the design of Japanese gardens - it is already becoming a gardening classic. Willow also looks good both in single plantings and when creating complex compositions. In addition to serving as a landscape decoration, the beautiful plant can be used to make twisted willow branches for wicker crafts and flower arrangements.

Preparing for winter

Matsudana willow is considered winter-hardy, but young plants and those varieties that do not tolerate frost very well need shelter for the winter. It is recommended to insulate your green pets in October or the first half of November.
If, despite the efforts of the owner, the branched beauty froze in the winter, then you should not be too upset; after some time, with proper care and warm weather, the willow will recover and will again delight you with its beautiful appearance.

Diseases

If it's a rainy year, then the owners of the winding willow should be prepared for the fact that black and gray spots, similar to a dirty coating, may appear on the leaves of the tree. There is no need to panic when you notice such a nuisance. To restore the plant to its former beauty, you need to spray it with copper oxychloride (CHOM) or oxychome.

Beneficial features

Willow Matsudana, in addition to being very beautiful and exotic, has many beneficial properties:

tea made from fresh leaves relieves fatigue;
white willow bark has astringent, antipyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic effects;
osteochondrosis and gout are treated with a willow broom in the bath;
Quinine contained in the plant is strong remedy against malaria;
a weak solution from the bark is used in the treatment of weakened and brittle hair, it saturates it with all the necessary substances;
willow is used externally: for rinsing the mouth and throat, for douching, for varicose veins, for skin diseases, for sweaty feet;
willow is a wound healing agent;
scientists have proven that willow is capable of absorbing heavy metals, thanks to which the plant perfectly cleanses contaminated areas;
willow is one of the best plants that can trap dust; an adult tree can retain about 38-40 kg of dust in one summer.

Ornamental willow often used in gardening to decorate the site.

We will describe several of the most popular and unusual types of decorative willows.

Ornamental willow ‘Hakuro-Nishiki’

Salix integra ‘Hakuro-Nishiki’ Japanese willow. Most likely, this is not a tree, but a bush, representing a beautiful ornamental plant. Leaves on early stages development pink, white and green. When pink color disappears, the stems are cut off and new leaves appear again, which in turn restores the pink color. Willow branches are red-brown. As the leaves age, the pink color disappears and the leaves turn white-green. Willow blooms in spring. Catkins appear, like all willows, before the leaves unfold.

Japanese willow is grafted onto a standard and a spherical crown is formed. Hakuro-Nishiki willow can be grown up to 3 m in diameter.

Weeping willow in landscape design photo

The crown is trimmed periodically to promote fullness and color. Even after pruning, Japanese willow retains the lushness of its crown. The prerequisite for successfully growing Japanese willow is a sunny location. All willows are water-drinkers. Japanese willow is no exception; it requires moist soil. As gardeners say, Hakuro-Nishiki, like other willows, “likes to have its head in the sun and its feet in the water.” However, it is unpretentious to the type of soil. Japanese willow is also frost-resistant.

Ornamental willow goat Kilmarnock

Another, no less attractive tree from the willow family is the decorative weeping willow Salix caprea (goat willow) variety Kilmarnock.

Willow (Salix caprea) 'Kilmarnock' looks very beautiful in March when golden, fragrant catkins appear on bare branches, long before the leaves. The silver leaves bloom after the catkins fall off. In autumn the leaves turn yellow.

Miniature willow, up to 1.5 m high, is a standard tree with deeply drooping branches that can touch the ground. It has either a weeping shape or an umbrella-shaped crown. Kilmarnock goat willow is unpretentious when choosing soil and can usually grow in loamy, light soils without excess lime, but is very sensitive to moisture. This needs to be kept in mind. The soil should be moist, but not wet, since the roots of the plant are located in the surface layer and can easily rot. Grow willow in a sunny place.

Ornamental willow Madsuda Salix Matsuda

Madsouda willow grows very quickly. This is not a tall tree with thin and unusual spirally twisted stems, grows up to 3.5 m. The shoots are yellowish or olive-green, red from the sunny side, the leaves are long, twisted, very decorative. In spring, late April or May, inflorescences of yellow-green flowers appear with leaves. This is a very impressive plant for planting on the shore of a pond, in the garden. Looks great planted alone or in a group. Willow Madsouda grows well in sunny places or in open shade on permeable soil. The soil should be neutral or slightly calcareous. If you fertilize the Madsuda willow heavily, it will grow quickly. At the same time, the twisting of the branches is reduced, and its decorative effect suffers from this. Prefers moist soil, but not wet.

How to prune an ornamental willow

Goat willow tolerates pruning well, so shoots can be cut back without fear. Repeated pruning throughout the year (but no later than July) is required for the Hakuro Nishiki and Tricolor varieties. Repeated pruning stimulates the growth of new branches, which produce pink leaves and beautiful leafy shoots. Other willows are simply pruned once a year, in the spring, after flowering, “catkins”, but before the leaves bloom. Cut the branches very short, leaving only a few buds at the base of the stem. Thanks to this, new stems grow strong and bloom in the spring. next year. Pruning is done so that 3-5 mm remains above the bud. Lubricate the cutting areas with garden varnish.

Willows are very decorative, and in every garden there is a place for some kind that will decorate a pond, alley or lawn.

Read also: Robelena date palm and Japanese maple - which variety to choose and how to protect from diseases and pests

Features of tortuous willow, or Sverdlovsk

Willows in garden design

Willows are trees from my childhood. Above the bank of the Volga, where I ran to swim, towered huge spreading weeping willows. These amazing trees were so picturesque that they seemed to me like fabulous magical creatures. Childhood has passed, but the touching feeling for willows remains.

An old dacha of six acres came to my husband and me from my parents. The desire to create beautiful garden gradually came to fruition. The lawn, flower beds, ornamental and coniferous plants transformed the dacha beyond recognition. Old patients fruit trees They were replaced by young ones, some were treated and left to live out their lives. And I kept dreaming about a willow in the garden, although I understood that the modest size of the plot of 6 acres did not allow me to shelter a huge spreading tree. And yet dreams come true! One day, my husband and I came across a small willow tree at a garden center. “Purple willow (Salix purpurea) Pendula” was on the label. Here it is - a miniature copy of the one from childhood! A scattering of lacy weeping shoots of purple color with narrow bluish leaves on a trunk, only one and a half meters high. Delicate, graceful willow - a miracle, how beautiful! There was no doubt: this is exactly what we need, we decided together, and from that very moment a new page opened in the history of our dacha called “Willows in the Garden.”

The place chosen for the new inhabitant was open and sunny. The only thing missing was a surface of water over which long flexible branches would bend. This problem turned out to be easily solved. A special form for a reservoir, filled with water and lined with flagstone around the edges, turned into a small lake. Daylilies and bergenia planted along the “banks” and a small fountain completed the picture. And all this is for her - for our willow tree. She began to grow, gain strength and become prettier day by day. Before the onset of cold weather, the trunk and graft were tied to protect against frost and rodents.

She survived the winter well, and in the spring the question arose about pruning the willow. But it was scary to think about it. How can you condemn a tree to suffering while losing such beauty? We decided that we won’t cut it, we’ll leave it in its original form. They regretted their decision, but that was later. By mid-summer, willow branches began to grow rapidly, spreading along the ground, conquering more and more space. Our patience came to an end - the shoots were cut in half. And a month later, the young branches that had grown back were again lying on the ground. Our darling began to look like a disheveled woman. The following spring we cut out all the shoots up to the first outer bud growing upwards. It was a terrible sight - all that was left of the willow was a skeleton with the top of its head sticking out. We already thought that we had destroyed the tree, but literally a few days later the willow began to produce sprouts. At the beginning of June, she stood with a thick shock of young branches, looked healthy and, apparently, did not hold a grudge against us. Since then, we have always provided willow with “hairdressing” services twice a season. For more than ten years now, combed and well-groomed, she has been admiring her reflection in the pond, and we are admiring her grace and the delicate interweaving of silver-green branches.

Mowing and watering

Caring for our willows, in addition to pruning, consists of removing wild growth that forms on the trunk under the grafting site, thinning dry and thickening shoots, abundant regular watering and mulching around the trunk. We apply fertilizers only to plants that grow under willows; we do not specially feed them. Our soil is good - black soil, and compost mulch nourishes and protects the soil from drying out. With this care, they grow beautifully, bloom and delight us.

A little later, new representatives of the willow brethren appeared in the garden. First, two twins were purchased - goat willows on a trunk, about 2 m high. In the very early spring, when all the plants are still sleeping under a blanket of snow, they begin to bloom. Unusually large white velvet lumps gradually turn into fluffy yellow earrings. An amazingly beautiful sight! Their crown with a tent of weeping shoots is denser and more compact than that of the purple willow. Taking into account previous mistakes, in the spring these willows undergo mandatory pruning, but only at a later date. If the purple one is pruned before flowering, then we give the goat willows the opportunity to bloom in order to fully enjoy their charming spring attire.

Source

Willows are trees from my childhood. Huge spreading weeping willows towered over the bank of the Volga, where I ran to swim. These amazing trees were so picturesque that they seemed to me like fabulous magical creatures. Childhood has passed, but the touching feeling for willow trees remains.

An old dacha of six acres came to my husband and me from my parents. The desire to create a beautiful garden gradually came true. The lawn, flower beds, ornamental and coniferous plants transformed the dacha beyond recognition. Old diseased fruit trees were replaced with young ones, some were treated and left to live out their lives. And I kept dreaming about a willow in the garden, although I understood that the modest size of the plot of 6 acres did not allow me to shelter a huge spreading tree. And yet dreams come true! One day, my husband and I came across a small willow tree at a garden center. “Purple willow (Salix purpurea) Pendula” was stated on the label. Here it is - a miniature copy of the one from childhood! A scattering of lacy weeping shoots of purple color with narrow bluish leaves on a trunk, only one and a half meters high. Delicate, graceful willow - a miracle, how beautiful! There was no doubt: this is exactly what we need, we decided together, and from that very moment a new page opened in the history of our dacha called “Willows in the Garden.”

The place chosen for the new inhabitant was open and sunny. The only thing missing was a surface of water over which long flexible branches would bend. This problem turned out to be easily solved. A special form for a reservoir, filled with water and lined with flagstone around the edges, turned into a small lake. Daylilies and bergenia planted along the “banks” and a small fountain completed the picture. And all this is for her - for our willow. She began to grow, gain strength and become prettier day by day. Before the onset of cold weather, the trunk and graft were tied to protect against frost and rodents.

The disadvantage of growing willow in a standard form is the discrepancy between the thin trunk and the spreading crown, which in strong winds causes a “windage” effect. Under the weight of the branches, a thin trunk can bend and even break. To form a strong trunk, the trunk must be tied, preferably to three supports.

Since then, we have always provided willow with “hairdressing” services twice a season. For more than ten years now, combed and well-groomed, she has been admiring her reflection in the pond, and we are admiring her grace and the delicate interweaving of silver-green branches.

Mowing and watering

Our soil is good - black soil, and compost mulch nourishes and protects the soil from drying out. With this care, they grow beautifully, bloom and delight us.

Together with the goat willows, the whole-leaved willow Hakuro-Nishiki has settled in our home. It is remarkable primarily for its white-pink young leaves, which later change color to white-green. Elegant, light, very delicate, like Japanese sakura. The natural shape of a small tree, up to 2 m high, was not chosen by chance. Firstly, this form of willow on a trunk is less frost-resistant than the original type, and secondly, the “Japanese willow” fits perfectly into a corner of the garden in a natural style next to another small man-made pond. It has been growing in our garden for 7 years, it does not freeze, we do not cover it with anything for the winter, although in the conditions of the Middle Volga region winters can be quite severe. Perhaps the frost resistance is influenced by the forest bordering our dacha, which protects the garden from cold winds. From cuttings of Hakuro-Nishiki, which have a very good survival rate, they grew a small tree in a standard form and a bush half a meter high, which is trimmed with a ball.

While they are teenagers and are standing the test of time.