Willow: types and subtleties of cultivation. Where and how does willow grow? Weeping willow tree description
The willow tree has about 550 species. The average lifespan of wood is 110 years. Other names for this tree: willow, broom, vine, willow and others.
Family: Willow
Class: Dicotyledons
Order: Malpighiaceae
Department: Flowers
Kingdom: Plants
Domain: Eukaryotes
Willow description:
Willow is most often found up to 15 meters in size. But the species number of this tree is very huge, and on our planet you can find willow trees up to 40 meters in height and 2.5 cm in size. Willows include both trees and shrubs. The crown of the tree is wide and large. The stem is branched, the branches are thin and flexible. The leaves are long and narrow in shape, but there are also species with wide leaves. WITH outside the leaf has a more saturated green color, and on the other side the leaf is lighter. In some species the leaf edge is smooth, in others it is jagged. When the leaves bloom, there are stipules that can be used to determine the type of willow.
When does willow bloom?
Different types of willows bloom in different time. Some species bloom even before the first leaves appear in early spring, some species bloom with the appearance of leaves or already in early summer when the leaves are fully formed.
The flowers of the tree are very small and would be difficult to detect if they were not collected in inflorescences called catkins. In willows that bloom before the leaves appear, the catkins are very noticeable. All willow catkins are unisexual, that is, they contain only female flowers or only male flowers. It is not difficult to distinguish them. Male flowers contain two stamens, and female flowers have one pistil; both types of flowers have nectaries.
Where does willow grow?
The willow tree is most common in the northern hemisphere of the planet. At the same time, the willow reaches the northernmost regions. IN northern regions you can find willow no larger than the size of moss. Loves moisture very much. Most often found in humid areas. Less common in dry areas. Due to their large and extensive root system, willows are often planted along banks to strengthen the soil.
Willow fruit
The fruit of the willow is a capsule. The willow seed itself is very small, light, covered with white fluff. Its lightness allows it to fly quite long distances. The seed itself remains viable for only a few days. But if it gets into water, it can remain viable for up to several years.
Willow propagation
Willow produces adventitious roots. Thanks to this, this tree reproduces well by cuttings and stakes. In most species, seeds can lose their viability within a few days.
In nature, willow trees reproduce using seeds, and cultural species Willows are propagated by cuttings and layering. A willow branch planted in the ground quickly takes root.
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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:
- The tallest (its height is 25-27 meters) and unpretentious species. So named due to the silvery color of the leaves. It tolerates frost well and can grow in shaded areas. Looks great among trees with dark green foliage and makes an ideal backdrop for red-leaved trees.
- Goat willow (bredana). In the spring, when flowering, fluffy flowers bloom on the shoots of this species, and goat willow looks like a huge dandelion. Such a weeping willow is planted on summer cottage in group plantings, although it looks more effective in combination with plants of excellent foliage color.
- Large tree (up to 8 meters) with big amount branches. When flowering, small cylindrical catkins (up to 6 cm) are formed on the branches, and the bush becomes fluffy during this period.
- The willow is the most graceful. Distinguished from other willows by its shiny stems Brown. This type of weeping willow is valued for its good rooting of cuttings and for how quickly it grows (it takes no more than 2 years to grow).
- The tree grows no more than 15 meters in height with a crown up to 9 meters in diameter. It grows quickly and looks effective in group plantings near water bodies.
Selection of seedlings for planting
IN 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 selected. It is advisable that the young animals be one to two years old and harvested either in early spring or late autumn.
Before the buds open, the seedlings are placed in damp sand or in a container of water.
Did you know? Willow appeared on earth a long time ago - its remains are found already in the 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! Weeping willows do not grow in complete shade. 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 in a permanent place. The best option is in the spring, when the snow has melted. Moreover root system 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.
For heavy clay soils drainage required. 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 in such a way 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 occurred in the autumn, 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 for fixation 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 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 a chic appearance. 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 supplements. 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.
Many property owners underestimate the willow and treat it as a waste or even weed plant. A quick acquaintance with some species 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 plots with this plant by choosing suitable look. 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 - dioecious plant, which has males with anthers and females that bear fruit. 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 hedge from cuttings stuck into the ground that quickly take root. They need to be regularly trimmed 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. - the result of grafting goat willow onto a rootstock of a different species. 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 a strange shape. Long shoots of the scion felt great between the stones alpine slide
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 of trunks looks impressive. 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. In earlier times, they were brewed as 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) 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 during strong gusts of 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 figures. 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?
The twisted trunk and branches of the matsudana willow are a distinctive feature of 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. Shaggy 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 up to 1 meter high, it is better to plant it on poor soil, perhaps among rockery stones. On nutritious soil it fattens, which prevents the appearance of dense crown cushions. Most of the shortened trunk is hidden 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. IN planting pits add peat.
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 beautiful bush It 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 frost-resistant type, which is incredibly interesting. The herbaceous willow is sometimes called the smallest tree in the world. Its homeland is considered not only in the Arctic latitudes, but also in 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 plots less tall garden forms have been bred.
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. 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. ethnoscience 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's worth taking a closer look at this wonderful plant and use 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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Willow is a deciduous tree of the Willow family. There are more than 550 species on the planet, mostly growing in temperate and cool climate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Some varieties are found above the Arctic Circle and in the tropics. Scientists note that willows are old-timers on the planet; their leaves are imprinted in chalk deposits, the age of which is estimated at tens of millions of years.
Total information
In Russia, the plant has several names - willow, willow, willow, willow, tal, vine, lozina, shelyuga.
Most often, willow is a tree about 15 meters high, or a low shrub. But individual species willows are represented by specimens over 30 meters high with a trunk diameter of 50 cm. In the North, willow is no longer a tree, but a low-growing, creeping shrub that does not grow higher than 20-30 cm. Herbaceous willow also grows there, only 2-3 cm high. centimeter
Willow grows well along the banks of rivers and lakes, but there are species that grow on mountain slopes and in semi-deserts.
Willows of various species have very well developed roots, so they are planted to strengthen loose sandy soil. Willow is also grown to secure natural and artificial reservoirs– dams, canals, rivers, lakes, ponds. Weeping willow - nice decoration park or personal plot, especially if there is an artificial body of water nearby - a pond or swimming pool, so landscape designers are willing to work with it.
Variety of species
This article will talk about decorative varieties, which are used in landscape design.
White willow is a fairly large tree with spectacularly hanging thin branches, with long silver leaves. White willow grows quickly, is not picky about soil, and can grow in waterlogged soil. This tree loves light and warmth, and at the same time tolerates harsh Russian winters well. Lush crown easy to cut. The tree can be used for single planting in the park.
Willow has a tent-shaped crown, dark green leaves with a silver tint, which turn yellow-green in autumn. It blooms in April-May with fluffy yellow-green flowers called cats. At five years it grows up to 3 meters, reaching a maximum after 15-20 years, and it is 25 meters. at the same time, its crown diameter increases to 20 meters.
Kilmarnock goat willow - low decorative tree with hanging branches, the height depends on the grafting site. Goat willow is unpretentious to growing conditions, loves light, but can grow in shaded places, and is suitable for planting near a pond. Grows well in moist soil and is frost-resistant.
The crown shape of this willow variety is weeping, the leaves are dull green with a silvery tint, turning yellow in the fall. It blooms in April-May with fluffy golden flowers. Kilmarnock willow does not grow higher than one and a half meters, and its crown diameter rarely exceeds 1.5 meters.
Goat willow Pendula is a low ornamental tree that will look great in group plantings on the shore of a pond. Its height also depends on the height of the graft. A light-loving and frost-resistant plant, it grows well in any type of soil with varying humidity.
The crown of this willow variety is weeping, the leaves are dull green, silvery, turning yellow in autumn. Blooms in spring with golden seals. Willow pendula does not grow higher than 170 cm, and its crown diameter does not exceed 1.5 meters.
Goat willow Pendula.
Brittle willow is a small tree or shrub. Grows quickly in moist soil and flooded areas. Light-loving, but can also grow in partial shade.
The shape of the crown of this willow variety is soft, round, and resembles clouds in appearance. The green leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. It blooms in April-May with oblong green-yellow flowers. Brittle willow grows up to 15 meters in height, while its crown diameter reaches 12 meters.
Brittle willow “Globular”.
Purple willow is a shrub with thin, reddish-brown branches with a bluish bloom. Grows quickly in any type of soil, even sand. It is characterized by frost resistance and unpretentiousness to light. The crown is easy to shape with a haircut. Purple willow can be used in a hedge or in a single planting.
The shape of the crown is spherical, the leaves are silver-green, and in the fall they acquire a yellow-green color. Blooms in April-May with oblong purple flowers. Purple willow grows up to 5 meters in height, and the crown diameter rarely exceeds 5 meters.
Purple willow.
Purple willow Mayak is a winter-hardy, ornamental, openwork shrub with thin red-pink branches. Loves light ones sunny places and moderately moist soil. Can be planted in hedges, and in compositions with other shrubs and trees.
The crown is spherical in shape, the leaves are silver-green in summer and yellow-green in autumn. Yellow-pink flowers are produced in spring. The lighthouse willow measures 3 meters in height, with a crown diameter of 3 meters.
Purple willow Nana is a shrub with red-brown branches. Undemanding to soil and light, frost-resistant, but in winter needs protection from the wind. The crown is easy to shape with a haircut. The shrub can be planted in groups or alone, in hedges and for planting near water bodies.
The crown shape is lush, semicircular. The leaves are oblong, narrow, silver-green in summer and yellow-green in autumn. Blooms in spring with light green flowers. The height of the bush and the diameter of the crown do not exceed one and a half meters.
Purple willow Pendula is a frost-resistant, lush shrub with thin purple branches. Loves wet soil and light, can grow in flooded areas, but at the same time tolerates drought well. Can be used for single plantings near water bodies.
The shape of the crown is openwork, weeping, the leaves are green with a bluish tint, turning yellow in the fall. Purple flowers. The height depends on the height of the grafting site, but rarely exceeds 3 meters, with a crown diameter of 1.6 meters.
Purple willow Pendula.
Willow tortuous Sverdlovskaya is a frost-resistant, decorative tree with spiral-shaped, hanging branches. It is undemanding to soil, but grows slowly and is well shaped by pruning. Willow of this variety can be used for planting in a hedge or in a single planting.
The crown shape is weeping, the leaves are green in summer and yellow in autumn, does not bloom. the maximum growth of the tortuous willow does not exceed 3 meters, and the diameter of the crown is 2 meters.
All-leaved willow Hakuro-nishiki is a spreading shrub or small tree with unusual coloring and hanging shoots. The variety is not frost-resistant and is poorly suited for cultivation in the Russian climate. Grows well in moist soil, in a well-lit place.
Can be used for single planting, or in composition with plants that have a dark green color. A lush bush can be easily formed by cutting.
The crown shape is round, the leaves are white-pink-green in spring and summer, turning pink in autumn. Blooms in April-May with yellow-green flowers. The height and diameter of the crown of this variety are within 2 meters.
Swiss willow is a spreading, dwarf variety. Slow-growing, light-loving shrub. Feels good on fertile, loose, moist soil. The color goes well with coniferous trees.
The shape of the crown is round, the leaves are silvery in spring and summer, turning yellow in autumn. Spring flowers, golden. The height of the bush is 1 meter, with a crown diameter of 1.5 meters.
Swiss willow.
Babylonian willow is a spreading tree with thin and long branches hanging down to the ground. Branches in red, yellow or green shades. This variety is characterized by frost resistance and unpretentiousness to growing conditions. Suitable for single planting on the shore of a pond.
The crown shape is round, the leaves are long, dark green on top, and bluish-green below. They turn yellow in autumn. Blooms white and yellow flowers- earrings. The tree grows up to 10-12 meters, the crown can exceed these values.
Willow or holly willow is a shrub or tree with thin, flexible branches of red color, which is why the plant is popularly called krasnothal or red shell. The branches have a waxy coating that is easily erased. Frost-resistant, unpretentious, can grow near a pond on sandy soil.
The shape of the crown is oval, the leaves are long, shiny, green with a bluish tint, turning yellow in autumn. It blooms in April with earrings containing yellow pollen. The willow grows up to 8-10 meters in height, the crown is spreading - up to 3-4 meters in bushes and up to 5-6 meters in trees.
Hairy willow - ornamental shrub or a small tree with lush branches. Frost-resistant variety, grows well in damp conditions fertile soil. Excellent for planting in the garden near small artificial ponds.
The shape of the crown is round, formed by cutting. Leaves original look– elliptical in shape, silvery-green, turning yellow in autumn. Leaves and branches are covered with silky hairs. The flowers are yellow, spring, similar to vertically placed candles. Plant height is 1.5-3 meters, crown diameter is 3-4 meters.
Creeping willow Armando – small bush, with bare flexible branches. This variety of willow is grown in the form of a trunk. It can be planted not only in the garden, but also indoors or on the balcony in a tub or container. Frost-resistant, loves moist soil and plenty of light. The tree can be used for decoration stone gardens, planted near small artificial reservoirs.
The crown is spreading, the leaves are matte green above and gray-green below, with shiny fibers. Flowering occurs in spring, the inflorescences are fluffy, silvery and pinkish in color.
The bush does not exceed 1 meter in height, the crown diameter is 2-3 meters. Sometimes gardeners give the bush a standard shape.
Rosemary willow in Russia is known as netala, niceloz or Siberian willow. This is a low, spreading shrub with flexible shoots of red or purple. It grows slowly, in any soil, and tolerates severe frosts and winds. Suitable for planting among rocky hills.
The crown shape is spreading, the leaves are straight with silky fluff. The color of the leaves is dark green on top and bluish on the underside. Blooms in May with numerous fragrant earrings of yellow or purple. The height of the bush is 1 meter, the diameter of the crown is 3-4 meters.
Steve Pickup (England, Somerset)
1. Easy to plant. Takes root quickly. Extended planting season.
For planting you need to take cuttings good quality approximately 20 - 25 cm long. They can be planted by hand using a thin metal bar. Manual planting takes one person up to 35 hours per hectare. On large areas It is more advisable to use a tractor. The planting season lasts from November to March and can even be extended by storing the cuttings in a cold pantry. In the first year, the willow grows 1-3 meters high. Branches are cut in the first year and then annually or according to the selected cycle.
2. Willow adaptability.
Willow can grow in a wide variety of soils. Certainly, fertile land with an abundance of moisture will give more high yields, but willow also grows on poorer soils and even on poisoned soil, where little can grow at all. It is quite tolerant of harsh conditions such as windswept highlands and salty sea winds.
3. High productivity.
The expected annual yield from fast-growing willow varieties is 20 to 30 tons of fresh material per hectare or 10 to 15 tons of dry material. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, individual twigs can be 20-30 cm larger. These large twigs make up a fixed percentage of the total harvest and can be sold to local weavers.
4. "Longevity" of beds.
In Somerset (England) the life of a willow ridge varies from 20 to 50 years.
5. Ability to recover quickly.
Willow is a strong and durable shrub. Even if the trunk is broken off to the ground, the willow will be able to recover: it will produce even more shoots. Thus, an accident or a deliberate act of vandalism will not only not destroy the willow, but will also inadvertently contribute to the size of the future harvest.
6. Willow bush as a protective planting.
Because willow grows quickly and tolerates wind well, it is ideal for use as a screening planting. Salix viminalis and hybrids are fast-growing varieties, their height reaches 8 meters, they are excellent at reducing wind force. Even with fallen leaves, a line of willow barriers will reduce wind speed by 60%. Salix alba, Salix fragilis and hybrids will help create high protective plantings up to 20 meters high. Smaller varieties are suitable for making beautiful garden hedges. Willow barrier plantings will create a protected area with a good microclimate for plantings, animals or people, and will hide ugly buildings from view.
7. Environmental protection.
Willow significantly improves soil conditions, which leads to an increase in the range of plants and animals. The plantings themselves are home to a variety of insects, and the number of their varieties is wider than the number of those that live in the plantings of other trees (in the UK). Insects, in turn, attract birds. The lives of many migratory or resident species directly depend on shrub plantings, which provide birds with a place to sleep and nest, and mammals with shelter. From this we can conclude that willow plantings will also be attractive to predators. Catkin inflorescences that bloom in early spring, when there are still very few other flowers, will become food for bees and other pollinating insects.
A huge range of colors, shapes and sizes of leaves and trunks, differences in flowering times and growth patterns, combined with rapid growth rates, make the willow the best way to transform an unsightly area into a beautiful one. In addition, living sculptures can be made from growing willow - decorations that do not harm the environment.
8. Soil improvement.
You won't find a better pioneer for poor or depleted soils than willow. Its fallen leaves and root activity will improve the humus composition and soil structure and increase the amount nutrients. Thus, willow helps the rooting of other plant species. The study found that some willow species are resistant to the presence of heavy metals, and some absorb them. Thanks to the willow, the scoria mountains in the north of England have become much more attractive to both local settlements and “wild life”.
Another technique that has been successfully used to improve the environment is the creation of buffer zones around the sites where any emissions occur. Increasingly, the vine, together with reeds and other plants, is used in ecological systems in which wastewater from farms, silage liquids and other bio-waste.
So, with proper research, good project design and good choice plant variety, the cost of restoring depleted or contaminated soils using willow plantings will be only a small fraction of the cost of traditional reclamation.
9. Extensive accumulated experience in using willow.
People have used willow for various purposes since ancient times. Experience has been added to the experience of past generations modern research. Many developed countries have extensive research programs concerning various aspects of the use of willow. At the moment, scientists have a large stock of knowledge, quite sufficient to evaluate any project related to willow.
10.A large number of varieties.
There are hundreds of varieties of willow with a wide range of characteristics. Significant sums have been invested in willow breeding and selection for a long time, especially in the last few years. The result is a huge number of useful varieties. This allows you to make the best choice for any conditions and needs (see Willow Bank Catalog).
11. Lots useful functions and you.
Often, the requirements that arise when solving the problem of land restoration contradict each other: for example, it is necessary to disinfect the soil or excavated soil, generate income from the land, protect surrounding areas and improve the aesthetic characteristics of the area. The choice is difficult, but using willow will demonstrate how you can please all people at the same time!
12. Annual harvest.
Unlike other types of wood, you can harvest willow every year. The vine is used for weaving furniture, baskets, and making sculptures and thus receive regular income from it.
13. Versatility and accessibility.
Vines and willow plantings have a huge range of uses. Here are some examples: making baskets, furniture, living sculptures, creating plantings that protect against sound and emissions, filtering waste, strengthening river banks, soil reclamation, use as food for bees, to create habitat for plants and animals and beautification of the area. And, of course, lovers of wicker weaving need a vine!
Experienced craftsmen adhere to high standards design and product quality, achieve professional level not easy. But basic technique Wicker weaving is quite simple and does not require expensive or dangerous equipment. For these reasons, wicker is an ideal material for children's art circles. To start weaving, a child does not need long preparation, but imagination is very much needed! Under the guidance of an experienced mentor, children will be able to complete their crafts in one lesson. This will give them a sense of satisfaction and a sense of success.
14. Low operating costs.
After the undergrowth has taken root, you will only need one single operation - harvesting according to the selected pruning cycle. And even this can be avoided if you sell your harvest to weavers or middlemen who will harvest the crop themselves.
15. Easy to remove plantings.
If circumstances suddenly change and you can no longer use the land the way you used to, you will likely be faced with a lot of problems. These can be either financial costs associated with the lack of income that you were counting on, or simply your troubles and worries. Willow will allow you to return your initial investment and receive income from the sale of the vine, even if you only have a year at your disposal. In a short time, willow will increase the security of the area and decorate it. If the soil needs to be restored to its previous state, after harvesting, you can easily uproot the roots using a tractor and a traditional root remover. This way, you will quickly prepare the land for subsequent work, for example, to build a building, and the harvest of the vines will compensate you for all the initial investments and bring you income in the form of wickerwork.
16. Ease of obtaining a grant (in the UK - approx. per.)
The FA willow grant is £600 per hectare. In some cases, additional land or annual financial support may be available. If growing willow is part of a larger project, such as training programs in wicker weaving or crafts, you may want to consider obtaining a grant from charities or local authorities.