With its twisted branches, distinctive catkins and an imposing stature, the corkscrew willow has taken the hearts of gardeners by storm. With its unmistakable look, the Asian ornamental shrub drives away the sadness from the garden even in winter. Use the profile to explore the wonderful attributes of a corkscrew willow.
What kind of plant is the corkscrew willow?
Corkscrew willow profile: This ornamental shrub belongs to the willow family (Salicaceae) and is a cultivated species of the Chinese willow (Salix matsudana). The corkscrew willow is characterized by striking, winding branches and shallow roots. The height is 200 to 800 cm, the flowering period is between April and May.
Systematics and properties at a glance
The corkscrew willow not only enriches our lives visually. Their eye-catching, twisting branches are often used as craft materials to realize creative home decoration ideas or to weave small baskets. Reason enough to take a closer look at the special characteristics.
- Belongs to the willow plant family (Salicaceae)
- Cultivated species of Chinese willow (Salix matsudana)
- Name of the hybrid: Corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa')
- Native to East Asia, primarily China and Japan
- Deciduous, non-poisonous ornamental shrub with winding branches
- Growth heights in cultivation from 200 to 800 cm
- Flowering period from April to May with catkins
- Lancelloid, wavy, pointed leaves, 5-10 cm long
- Shallow roots with aggressive tendency to spread
It is less the 1.5 to 2.5 cm small gray-white flowers than the woolly catkins, which are up to 15 cm long, that increase the decorative value of a corkscrew willow in May and June. Especially at this time, the twisted branches are in great demand as vase decorations.
Care tips
Apart from regular watering when it is dry, the corkscrew willow rarely requires your gardening attention. You should not boost the bush's vital growth potential with fertilizer, especially since annual growth is up to 100 cm anyway. It is precisely this rapid growth that is noticeable in the nursing program. So that the ornamental tree doesn't outgrow you, it should be consistently cut back once a year in late winter.
Tip
You can weave a beautiful spring wreath from the twisted branches of a corkscrew willow in no time. Simply intertwine 5-6 branches together and pin the ends together. The resulting gaps are filled with seasonal flowers, complemented by pretty silk bows. Perfection is not required here, but rather creative naturalness.
