Harlequin willows are elegant and absolutely enchanting solitary trees. However, they look even more attractive when they are planted with the right plants. Then both their crown and their root area are attractive and the overall picture is breathtakingly beautiful.
Which plants are suitable for underplanting the harlequin willow?
A harlequin willow can best be planted withshallow-rootedandshade-tolerant ground cover plants, smaller perennials, grasses, bulbous flowers and trees that give it the Don't dispute nutrients. The following are ideal, among others:
- Storksbill and Periwinkle
- horned violets and forget-me-nots
- Forest sedge and Japanese sedge
- Lily of the valley and squill
- Boxwood and azaleas
Underplant harlequin willow with ground cover plants
Shade-lovingGround cover plants are ideal for planting under the Japanese ornamental willow because they remain small in growth and like to enhance the root area like a carpet with their foliage. It is important that itsroots are close to the surface of the earth, so that the harlequin willow, as a shallow-rooted plant, does not suffer any losses or is even damaged when the ground cover is planted. These specimens turned out to be suitable:
- Storksbill
- Evergreen
- Fat Man
- Hazelroot
- wood anemones
Underplanting harlequin willow with perennials
The harlequin willow, also known as the flamingo tree, can also make friends with uncomplicated perennials as underplanting. Here, however, you should primarily choose perennials that also feel comfortable inlight shadeand the harlequin willow in terms ofnutrient absorptionundergrounddon't compete The following are suitable, for example:
- horn violets
- Forget-me-not
- Lavender
- Foam Blossom
Planting harlequin willow with onion flowers
The expression of Salix integra becomes really charming when onion flowers are used as underplanting. The early bloomers present theirflowers at about the same time with this willow. Create a harmonious image with white onion flowers or play specifically with contrasts between the flower colors. How about the following specimens for underplanting?
- Lily of the valley
- Bluestars
- Hyacinths
- Harebells
Underplanting harlequin willow with grasses
Grasses that can cope withpoor lighting conditionsand do not rise higher than50 cm blend in decoratively under the harlequin willow. They are at their best when they unfold their stalks not directly on the trunk, but at a distance. Here is a selection of suitable grasses:
- Forest sedge
- Japan sedge
- Blue Fescue
- Bearskin Grass
Planting harlequin willow with trees
Only a few trees are designed in such a way that they feel in good hands at the foot of the Harlequin willow and the Harlequin willow, for its part, does not feel harassed or restricted. It is important that the treesdo not need blazing sunand spreadclose to the surfacewith theirroots. There are only a few candidates for underplanting:
- Boxwood
- Privet
- Azaleas
- hydrangeas
Planting the harlequin willow in the pot
A harlequin willow in a pot can also be planted underneath. Here the underplanting should ideally be rather simple and no more than40 cm high. It is also advisable to choose plants that havelow nutrient requirements. Suitable examples are:
- Memorial
- Forget-me-not
- Small Periwinkle
- Ribbon flower
Tip
Underplant early to avoid root damage
It's best to start planting your Japanese ornamental willow early. Once it has rooted properly, there is a risk that you will injure its roots when planting ground cover plants etc.
