You are certainly familiar with the nostalgic weeping willow. And you can also do something with the term pollard willow. But did you know that small stature species also exist? Some willow species grow as shrubs and, due to this characteristic, are ideal for keeping in containers. Get to know the most important pasture types on this page.
Which types of pasture are there in Germany?
Numerous willow species are native to Germany, including white willow, sal willow, harlequin willow, osier and weeping willow. They differ in height, leaf shape and bark color. Small willows are also suitable for keeping in containers.
How many willow species are there?
It is estimated that there are around 450 different willow species. The distribution area extends across the entire northern hemisphere. The deciduous trees have even become established near the Arctic or in the warm tropics.
Willow species occurring in Germany
In Germany alone there are many different types of willow, some of which grow in the wild or are cultivated in your own garden. The most famous include:
- the white willow
- the sal willow
- the Harlequin Willow
- the wicker
- and the weeping willow
Different characteristics of different willow species
The different types of willow differ most obviously in their height. Some species reach a considerable height of 30 meters, others stay close to the ground at a tiny 3 centimeters. However, you can also use other characteristics to differentiate between them. Take a look at the leaves.
- Rosemary willow: stringy and narrow
- Ear of willow: pale green and wrinkled
- Engadin willow: silky hairy and egg-shaped
The bark of some willow species is also striking.
- Weeping willow: yellowish
- Ear of willow: grey-brown
- Purple willow: red
The weeping willow is one of the best-known willow species due to its long, drooping branches. The corkscrew willow also looks equally beautiful, its branches winding in a spiral shape.
Ornamental plants
Willows also form so-called hybrids. These are created by hybridizing different species. Furthermore, gardeners try to optimize the properties of the deciduous tree through breeding. Some examples are
- the corkscrew willow
- the real Chinese weeping willow
- or the Harlequin Willow
The right size for every garden
Huge weeping willows often exceed the space capacity of a garden. Fortunately, there are also numerous small-growing varieties:
- Alpine pasture
- Ear Willow
- Arctic Willow
- Shorttooth Willow
- Ash willow/ gray willow
- Pike blue willow
- Ruch Weide
- Bare Pasture
- Silk Willow
- Silky Willow
- Hochtal Weide
- Spit willow
- Herb willow
- Swiss pasture
- Wool Willow
- Downy Willow
- Lapland pasture
- Blueberry Willow
- Net willow
- Creeping Willow
- Arctic willow
- Little Willow Tree
- Pale Willow
- Swamp-leaved willow
- Quendelweide