Willow is a deciduous crop that belongs to the Willow family. In total, there are more than 550 species of such crops that grow in regions with temperate and cool climates. But there are varieties that are found in the tropics and beyond the Arctic Circle. According to researchers, these cultures are considered real old-timers. Imprints of their leaves were found in chalk deposits. Below are the names of willow species and plant varieties with descriptions and photos.
Description of the tree
Willow appeared on the planet a very long time ago. Its imprints are already found in the Cretaceous formation.At the same time, even modern varieties lived in the Quaternary era - white, twig-shaped, ashy.
The genus of willows includes at least 350 species. They are predominantly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Moreover, there the willow even goes beyond the Arctic Circle. A number of crop varieties grow in tropical climates. There are more than 65 species in North America. However, only 25 of them reach the size of a tree. Most of these plants are small trees no more than 10-15 meters high or shrubs. At the same time, there are specimens measuring 30-40 meters. The diameter of their trunk exceeds 50 centimeters.
In cold regions, willows grow far north. There, predominantly low-growing dwarf specimens are found. These include types of willows such as reticulated, polar, herbaceous, and blunt-leaved.
In mountainous areas, low-growing crops grow - grassy willow and others. They are able to reach the very snowy border. It is worth noting that high-mountain and polar species are low-growing creeping shrubs, the height of which does not exceed a few centimeters. You can often find interspecific hybrids.
Willow is capable of producing adventitious roots. Thanks to this, it can easily be propagated by cuttings and even stakes. In this case, the seeds of the plant lose their viability after just a few days. Only in willow five-stamen it persists for quite a long time. You can plant the seeds of the crop next spring.
Willow is often used in landscape design. In gardens and parks, it is usually planted on the banks of reservoirs. This is not surprising, because such a composition looks as natural as possible. However, such a plastic and beautiful tree can easily decorate any corner of the garden.In addition, the spreading willow crown will provide excellent protection from the scorching rays of the sun.
Willows that have been planted at 1.5-2 meter intervals can form an excellent hedge. If you place them in 2 rows, you will be able to get a wonderful shady alley. This composition looks especially attractive from a white weeping willow when the tree crowns close together. To do this, already 2-3 years after planting, the branches directed towards each other need to be intertwined at a height of 2.5-3 meters. They can also be connected by performing ablactation. It is a grafting method that is used to connect the same or different plants. There is no need to cut them off.
However, this method requires certain skills from the gardener. It is much easier to weave the branches, resulting in a beautiful openwork tunnel. If there is not enough space in the garden to create an alley, you can make a green arch near the entrance. To do this, it is enough to plant only 2 trees.
Shrub varieties are excellent for creating hedges. They will help shade and decorate a sports or playground. You can also plant bushes in a row or place them in small groups along garden paths. Dwarf and weeping willows fit perfectly into rock gardens. This composition will look especially impressive if there is a stream or small fountain nearby.
A lone willow tree on a wide lawn will look no less attractive. It can be combined with flowering ornamental shrubs or coniferous crops. Such a contrasting combination will look very impressive.
Types of willows
In total, there are about 500 species of willows. They grow in natural conditions and are grown in gardens, squares and parks. At the same time, many types of crops grow in Russia.These mainly include frost-resistant varieties that are suitable for almost all areas.
Goat
This culture is versatile and undemanding to care. It easily withstands low temperatures and shade. The plant tolerates different types of soil well and can grow in areas with high humidity. The crop is often planted near rivers and reservoirs. However, it does not tolerate heavy swampiness. Quite often, goat willow appears as an undergrowth or grows as a second tier in mixed plantings.
The plant has become widespread in the form of a tree up to 10 meters high. It is found in European countries, Japan, Iran, and Korea. Also, goat willow can grow as a small shrub, the height of which is several meters. The flowering period begins much earlier than the leaves appear. The culture is growing very quickly.
There is a known variety, recorded by breeders, which has absorbed the characteristics of twig and goat. It's called pointed. This is a tall plant that belongs to the shrubs. Reaching a height of 5 meters, the culture has narrow-lanceolate and bare shoots.
Goat and pointed wood varieties are actively used in wicker weaving. This is due to its high quality.
Purple
This willow has pronounced decorative characteristics. The purple variety grows in the temperate climate zone of Eurasia. Its distribution area extends all the way to Japan and Central Asia. As a rule, purple willow is small in size and reaches 2-4 meters. In more rare cases, the crop grows up to 10 meters.
This plant is a shrub. When grown in culture, its size is often 1-1.5 meters. There is a bluish coating on the bark.The branches of the plant bend beautifully and have a smooth surface.
The name of this plant species is due to the presence of purple stamens, which have blackening anthers. Moreover, the decorative properties are not even associated with the flowers of the crop. It is due to the abundance of narrow-shaped leaves. They reach 3-8 centimeters in length. Sometimes their sizes are 13 centimeters. In this case, the width does not exceed 1-1.5. The foliage is characterized by a soft blue color. Sometimes there are bluish notes in it.
The plant is decorated with many leaves. They differ in alternate or opposite arrangement. Flowering continues from March to May. In this case, the flowers appear almost at the same time as the leaves. This species has cylindrical side earrings.
One of the most popular varieties of this species is Nana. This willow grows as a shrub up to 1.5 meters in size. Moreover, its width reaches 2 meters. Willow is characterized by a semicircular shape and fits perfectly into plantings against the background of a lawn.
White
This variety of willow is also called silver willow. A mature tree reaches a height of 25 meters. Moreover, the diameter of its crown can be 20 meters. Its structure includes cascading stems to which silvery leaves are attached. In mid-spring, yellow flowers appear on the willow. They resemble pieces of fur on branches and are often called "cats".
Silver willow is often used in landscape design. It is possible to create harmonious compositions from it. The culture is characterized by rapid growth and perfectly withstands frost, pruning, and excess moisture. In addition, the plant is undemanding to growth conditions and grows well in any type of soil.
White willow is a light-loving species.It has many varieties. The most decorative of them include the following:
- Tristis - reaches a height of 20 meters. This crop is characterized by a wide crown, the diameter of which is 20 meters. The plant is characterized by a yellow crown and the same shoots. The honey plant blooms in April.
- Argentea - characterized by cascading shoots that form a weeping crown. Moreover, the tree itself reaches a height of 25 meters. During flowering, the crown is decorated with yellow earrings. The leaves of this willow variety have a combined color. They are dark green above and whitish below.
- Limpde – This willow is distinguished by its yellow stems. It is characterized by a cone-shaped crown with a diameter of 12 meters. Moreover, the tree itself is characterized by significant dimensions and can reach a height of 40 meters. In addition to its decorative purpose, the plant is an excellent honey plant. Flowering of this variety starts in April. It is resistant to low temperatures.
winding
This species has 2 forms. These include the following:
- Matsuda willow - characterized by spiral-shaped shoots, which are complemented by golden bark. The leaves also curl in a spiral. This European variety needs a warm climate. It can hardly withstand harsh winters and needs insulation. For planting, you should choose a well-protected place. The height of this willow does not exceed 3.5 meters.
- Ural sinuous - this culture is characterized by spiral-shaped shoots covered with gray-green bark. In the light they appear brown. This decorative varietal crop does not exceed 3.5 meters in height. However, it is able to withstand any winter frosts. The leaves have a spiral shape.The culture perfectly withstands frequent pruning and crown formation. This willow can be planted singly or in groups.
Both varieties of twisting willow are considered ornamental. They were bred through selective breeding.
Brittle
This variety of willow is considered very famous and widespread. It is often called broom. The height of the plant reaches 15-20 meters. Moreover, its width by the age of 10 is 6-8 meters. The bark is characterized by a gray-brown color. The top is covered with pronounced deep cracks.
Brittle willow is characterized by straight branches that only partially droop. The shoots are not covered with fluff and have a shiny surface. They are characterized by a dark green color with a reddish tint. This type of willow has narrow lanceolate leaves. They shine in the sun and have a nail file shape at the edges. In this case, the end of the leaves is greatly elongated. They reach 5-7 centimeters in length, and only 1-1.2 in width. With the arrival of autumn the foliage turns yellow. However, quite often it falls off and turns green.
Starting from the fourth year of life, the branches lose strength. That's why the willow got its name. It is worth considering that this species is considered a long-liver. Its life expectancy is 70-75 years. Therefore, it is recommended to plant brittle willow away from buildings and trees.
Babylonian
This type of willow is often called weeping. The height of the tree usually does not exceed 10-12 meters. It has a strong but small trunk. Its diameter does not exceed 50-60 centimeters. The crown includes long and thin branches that reach down to the ground. They are hairless and not covered with fluff. The shoots shine in the sun and may have a yellow-green or reddish tint.
This type of willow is characterized by oblong or narrow-lanceolate leaves.They are complemented by a point that is elongated towards the top. The length of the foliage reaches 10-16 centimeters, and the width - only 1-2.5. The edges are serrated. In this case, the upper part is dark green in color, and the lower part is gray. Young foliage is slightly covered with fluff, but by the end of the season it becomes bare.
Entireleaf
This is a small plant whose height does not exceed 2-3 meters. The round crown also has the same diameter. The shoots have a shiny surface and are purple or dark green in color. They grow straight, without drooping.
The leaves have an almost opposite arrangement. They are characterized by a narrow, elongated shape and reach a length of 2-7 centimeters. Moreover, their width can be 1-1.8. The top of the foliage is dark green and the bottom is bluish.
grassy
This is the smallest plant of the Willow family. It is found in the tundra or arctic latitudes. The culture grows among lichens and mosses. Only the leaves of the crop break through this cover. The plant does not exceed 6-7 centimeters.
Flowering of the herbaceous willow begins quite late - in June. It continues until August. This culture is not like a tree in the usual sense of the word. However, botanists classify it as a member of the Willow family.
Globular
This culture is characterized by a spreading spherical crown. The height of the plant does not exceed 7 meters. However, it looks very decorative. The globe willow is characterized by light bark and arching branches complemented by grey-green leaves.
This type of willow grows well in a wide variety of soil types, including clayey ones. It has a high degree of resistance to frost. Therefore, it is permissible to plant the crop in different areas.
Mesh
This is a dwarf shrub, which is characterized by branched creeping shoots of a brown-red hue. Their length reaches 60-80 centimeters. The leaves of the crop are distinguished by the shape of an ellipse and have a pointed end. The foliage is dense and leathery to the touch. On the outside it is dark green in color, and on the inside it is white-gray.
This culture is characterized by fairly strong elastic shoots that take root well and intertwine with each other. Therefore, shrubs are often used to create hedges.
Willow is a common crop grown by many gardeners. Today, many species and varieties of such plants are known, which allows everyone to choose the appropriate option.
