Willow is widespread in the middle lane almost everywhere. In addition, some of its species (more than 170 of them are known in all) grow in the tropical zone. Dwarf willow species grow in cold natural zones and in the highlands - some of them spread along the ground and reach a height of only a few centimeters. For the most part, willow is a tree or shrub whose height usually does not exceed fifteen meters. Interspecific, hybrid forms are also widespread.
Willow trees and shrubs are quite tenacious and well received. The main thing they need is moisture. The vast majority of species of this plant are hygrophilous and grow along the banks of rivers, lakes, on the slopes of ravines - where groundwater comes close to the surface. Willow leaves are petiolate, in some species of elliptical shape, in others - long and thin, often they have serrated edges. Foliage color - from pale green, silvery, to bright green. Its branches are thin and flexible. Willow twigs harvested from certain types of shrubs are used to weave baskets and furniture.
Many willow species of willow are planted on their plots - mainly shrub species. To do this, you must first root its cuttings, which are cut from annual shoots before the swelling and budding of the buds. Some argue that they root them directly in the water, while others note that willow cuttings should take root in aerated soft soil. In this case, water stagnation after irrigation should not be allowed. The willow shrub (small willow) of "wild" species is perfect for hedges. However, most still buy seedlings in nurseries - so the chances of growing a viable, healthy plant are much greater.
Gardeners willingly acquire seedlings of white willow, namely its weeping variety. Many people think that weeping willow is a separate species of plant. However, it is customary to call trees with a certain shape of the crown. At the same time, there is an opinion that this name, “weeping”, willow is due to guttation - a phenomenon in which leaves of a plant secrete droplets of moisture. This happens if the roots absorb more water than evaporate from the surface of the leaves, and willow is one of the few ligneous plants in which gutation is observed. Be that as it may, but in gardening and landscapers, the term "weeping willow" was fixed for its forms, with drooping, hanging to the ground branches.
Another weeping or snake-like species can be a goat willow, a small tree with long, flexible twigs. This is one of the most common standard plants, that is, grafted onto a standard plant, which is a plant stem to the lower leaves. The weeping goat willow looks especially picturesque under the snow. Silver willow seedlings are in great demand. The crown of this tree is a delicate silver color, it has the shape of a ball. The Babylonian willow, an exotic tree up to 4-6 meters high with light yellow bark, twisted, serpentine branches and twisted leaves, is also very popular with gardeners.
Willows are planted from early spring to autumn, but no later than a month before frost. For a seedling, you should choose a lit place with moist neutral soil. Humus and sod land are necessarily added to the pit; after planting, the tree should be abundantly watered and the soil should be mulched.
Care for the young willow tree provides for mandatory pruning. After flowering, in early summer, it is necessary to cut off all young shoots to 15–20 cm in such a way that at their ends there are buds that “look” to the side and up. Plant pruning should be carried out for several years after planting - this contributes to the correct formation of its crown. Some gardeners feel sorry for pruning a tree, however, it should be borne in mind that a decorative, artificially grown weeping willow requires special care, the rules of which must be observed so as not to harm the plant.