Willows (Salix spp.) are not a small family. You’ll find over 400 willow trees and shrubs, all moisture-loving plants. Types of willow that are native to the Northern Hemisphere grow in the milder to cooler regions.
If you are curious about which willow varieties might work well in your yard or garden, you’ll need to start by figuring out how much room you have and what growing conditions you can offer.
Read on for an overview of popular varieties of willows.
Identifying Different Willows
It isn’t very difficult to identify a willow. Even children can pick out pussy willows on a tree or shrub in spring. However, distinguishing between different willows is extremely difficult.
That’s because many types of willows interbreed. With almost a hundred different varieties of willow in this country, lots of hybrids are produced with characteristics of both parents. As a result, most people do not worry about distinguishing between varieties of willows.
Popular Types of Willow
There are more than a few stand-out willow varieties that everyone knows. One is the popular weeping willow (Salix babylonica). This tree grows to 40 feet (12 m.) high with a canopy spread of some 30 feet (9 m.). The branches cascade down, making it appear to be weeping.
Another common type of willow is the corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana 'Tortusa'). This is a tree that grows to 40 feet (12 m.) tall and wide. Its branches twist in interesting ways, making it a fine tree for winter landscapes.
Other tall willow varieties include peach-leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) that gets 50 feet (15 m.) tall and American pussy willow (Salix discolor), growing to 25 feet (7.5 m.). Don’t confuse this with goat willow (Salix caprea) that sometimes goes by the common name of pussy willow.
Smaller Willow Varieties
Not every willow is a soaring shade tree. There are tall willow trees and shrubs with many stems that stay quite short.
The dappled willow (Salix integra 'Hahuro-nishiki'), for instance, is a lovely, little tree that tops out at just 6 feet (2 m.) tall. Its foliage is variegated in soft shades of pink, green, and white. It also offers winter interest, as the branches on its multiple stems are bright red.
Another smaller willow is the Purple Osier willow (Salix purpurea). As the name suggests, this shrub has astonishing purple stems and leaves with hues of blue. It only grows to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and should be cut back severely every five years. Unlike many willows, it doesn’t mind a little dry soil or shade.
-
How To Put Lights On A Tree Outside – The Right Way To Wrap A Tree For A Dazzling DisplayThe holidays are on the horizon and we’ve been wondering how to put lights on a tree outside. Fortunately, our experts have the answers.
-
5 Best Winter Indoor Plants To Grow To Turn Your Home Into A Cozy Houseplant HideawayKeep your home (and heart) warm and bright during the chilly months with these gorgeous winter indoor plants – guaranteed to boost your seasonal happiness factor!
-
Living Willow Fence Ideas - Tips For Growing A Living Willow FenceCreating a living willow fence is an easy, inexpensive way to screen a view or divide garden areas. Read on to learn more.
-
What’s Wrong With My Dappled Willow: Common Dappled Willow ProblemsDappled willow is one of the smaller members of the willow family. Although undemanding, it will occasionally see problems. Learn about them here.
-
Coral Bark Willow Care – What Is A Coral Bark Willow TreeFor lovely winter interest and nice summer foliage, you can’t go wrong with coral bark willow shrubs. Click here for tips on coral bark willow care.
-
Peachleaf Willow Facts – Peachleaf Willow Identification And MoreFew trees are easier to grow than native willows. Peachleaf willow trees are no exception. It’s not hard to identify peachleaf willows since they have leaves that look similar to the foliage of peach trees. Click here for peachleaf willow facts that describe this native tree.
-
Pruning A Dappled Willow – How To Prune Dappled Willow ShrubsThe dappled willow is a popular ornamental tree with a graceful weeping habit. Since this tree grows quickly, pruning a dappled willow is always an important part of the maintenance. Click here for information on dappled willow pruning.
-
Japanese Willow Pruning – How To Cut Back A Japanese Willow TreeLike most willows, Japanese willow trees grow extremely fast. Trimming Japanese willows is a chore you may have to do several times a year to keep the shape and size in check. Click this article to learn how to prune Japanese willows.
-
What Are Willow Galls: Learn About Galls On Willow TreesWillow tree galls are unusual growths that appear on willow trees. You may see different varieties on leaves, shoots, and roots. The galls are caused by sawflies and other pests as well as bacteria and can look quite different depending on the pest causing them. Learn more here.
-
Weeping Willow Pruning: Should I Cut Back A Weeping Willow TreeNo tree is more graceful than the beautiful weeping willow with its long tresses swaying gracefully in a breeze. But that cascading foliage and the branches that support it need to be cut back from time to time. Learn about pruning the tree in this article.
