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If you’re like most
folks, when someone mentions “willow”, you think about those majestic
weeping willows hanging over the banks of a pond or stream. But how about
‘shrub’ willows? Let me show you 3 that you may just want to incorporate
into your landscape.
-Salix ‘Arctic Blue’ is
a Basket willow, grows in a shrub form, and is known for its somewhat purple
stems, and linear, fine textured blue green leaves with silvery blue
undersides, which is gorgeous when the wind blows. Thick branched, Arctic
Blue is a great specimen or mass planter, and although listed in many
catalogs as growing to 4 - 5 feet, if left un-pruned can easily reach 8 feet
plus. Easily pruned and maintained at a smaller size.
-One of my favorites,
Salix ‘Hakuro Nishiki’, is a Dappled willow. This naturally rounded shrubby
plant is a fast grower, full of thin, gracefully spreading branches, and
although is listed in most catalogs as growing 8 feet by 8 feet, left
un-pruned it can get much larger – even into a small ornamental tree. From
a distance, Niskiki’s new foliage makes it look as though it’s in flower,
when actually, it’s the wonderful pink and creamy white new leaves at the
ends of the branches. As an added bonus, you’ll get yellow fall colors, and
the stems actually turn a shade of red for the winter. Again easily pruned
and maintained at a smaller size.
-And here is Salix
‘Flamingo’, which is actually a sport (improved selection) of Hakuro Nishiki!
Again, it may be listed as growing to 6 - 8 feet, but if left un-pruned can
easily reach sizes above10 feet plus. Now, what’s so unique about Flamingo
is the new growth – it’s an even stronger pink than Nishiki, followed by
showy white and green mottled leaves. And yes, you’ll still get those
yellow fall colors and reddish winter stems. Like the others, prune
Flamingo back to maintain a smaller size.
Like most willows, all
of these will tolerate wet soils, but will also grow in drier conditions.
And as I mentioned, all respond quite nicely to heavy pruning, not only to
keep them at a smaller size, but to also encourage new growth, which results
in more of those wonderful foliage and stem colors. |
