Weeping willows, sadly bending their beautiful branches over the water, are familiar to each of us. Today, more than 600 species of this elegant tree are known. However, in Russia you can find no more than two hundred varieties of willow. Shrubs are the most common species. It is found in many regions of the country. Shrubs perfectly adapt to any weather conditions, surviving even under adverse conditions. Trees, on the other hand, choose certain places of growth for themselves. Today, the article will focus on weeping willow.
Willow of Babylon
The Babylonian willow is considered one of the most beautiful trees, which is often chosen to decorate parks in the south of Russia. The tree usually grows up to 12 meters high. The trunk in diameter is large enough, can be more than 1.5 meters. The crown gives special beauty to the tree: thin branches, like jets of a waterfall, descend to the very ground. Their color is also attractive: reddish or green with a golden tint. Northern China is considered to be the birthplace of Babylonian willow. Although, as biologists say, this species was also common in Central China.
However, the tree easily adapted to the harsher Russian climate. Willow is not in vain called weeping, not only because of the branches lowered to the ground, resembling a mournfully bowed head, but also because this tree grows in moist river valleys or in lowlands on the sand.
Description
Babylonian willow - a tree that loves a lot of sun, but also no less than moisture. It is resistant to frost, but in severe winters it can freeze very much. When planting a tree, the security of the planting site from winter winds and frosts should be taken into account. It is better to choose those places where the tree will be closed as much as possible. The trunk, like the branches, is rather knotty. The older the tree becomes, the more powerful its nodules become. Pollination occurs in April - May, when not only bees, but also other insects flock to the smell. Willow catkins are thin, with leaflets located at the very base.
The root system of the tree is distinctive: it will grow until it finds a place from where it will be fully fed with the moisture necessary for proper growth.
We plant in the garden
The willow of Babylon will be a wonderful decoration not only for the park area, but also for the country or garden plot. Male willows are more suitable for seedlings: they compare favorably with female willows in that during flowering, annoying fluff does not form on the catkins. Willow can be planted even in the northern regions. If the tree does freeze, it will recover as quickly. The willow of Babylon is good because it looks like a beautiful sprawling green tent.
By the way, under the branches of this tree you can have picnics, hiding from the intense heat in the warm season. What kind of varieties among gardeners are in great demand, we consider below.
Willow Tortuoz
Experienced gardeners will certainly recommend such a variety of this tree as the Babylonian willow Tortuosa. Its description is not at all similar to the previous one. It is a shrub up to two meters tall, with heavily twisted branches. Sinuous branches have a golden appearance, which looks very advantageous against the background of bright green foliage. This species of willow is very demanding on lighting, it needs a lot of sunlight and heat.
But Tortuoz’s cold does not tolerate at all. Therefore, even in the warm season, it is worth protecting the willow from the wind. Tortuosa (Babylonian willow) is very fond of watering. Due to the accumulation of water in the rhizome, it easily tolerates stagnation. In the northern regions of the country Tortuoz can freeze in the winter to the level to which it is covered with snow. However, again, thanks to the root system, the shrub is quickly restored.
Willow Crispa
Another interesting variety is the Babylonian willow Crispa. Its description will be as follows: it is a small dwarf tree that can grow to a maximum of no more than two meters in height. The particular beauty of this variety lies in its leaves. They are dark green, very shiny and very similar to the small flowers of a decorative home rose.
The shrub is also sensitive to the cold, but if it freezes, then, like the previous varieties, it is quickly restored. Yves Crispus is planted as a green fence or decorative labyrinths. It is noteworthy that this variety was obtained by Russian gardeners only about 30 years ago. But today, Crispa has gained wide popularity in the most beautiful park areas of our country.
Breeding
How does the Babylonian willow plant? Reproduction occurs using cuttings. Sprouting willow is easy enough. This is the kind they are talking about: stick it in the ground, it will sprout itself. The only condition is sufficient moisture. You can also just put the stalk in the water and wait until the first roots appear.
It is important to leave at least 6-8 kidneys on the handle. Babylonian willow (photo of a tree can be seen in the article) quickly gets used to a new place. If the tree looks prettier near the water, then the shrub species are perfect for decorating the site.
Branches of shrubby willow will weave stronger and stronger over time, forming a natural living and almost impassable fence. When planting several willows on the garden site, it is important to remember that the distance between them must be quite large, otherwise the crowns of these magnificent trees will not be able to open to the full, showing all their natural beauty.