Content
The Kilmarnock willow is a deciduous tree with a standard form. It is valued for its high vital potential, unpretentiousness to growing conditions and care, as well as for its high decorative qualities. The plant is widely used in landscape design. Since with the arrival of spring its shoots are covered with fluffy “seals”, in summer and autumn the crown actively grows, is densely covered with foliage, and in winter the color of the shoots looks original against the background of snow.
Kilmarnock willow has not only decorative, but also medicinal properties.
Origin
The Kilmarnock variety is a male clone of the wild goat willow, which was first found in 1840 on the floodplains of the River Aire in Scotland. Subsequently, breeders made attempts to improve the characteristics of the plant, and they succeeded. This makes it possible to grow Kilmarnock goat willow in regions with difficult weather conditions. The frost resistance of this species corresponds to the fourth climatic zone.
Description of Kilmarnock willow
Goat willow variety Kilmarnock is an ornamental tree grafted onto a trunk, the height of which varies from 1.2 to 3 m.The crown is lush, has an umbrella-shaped or weeping shape with a diameter of 1.5-2 m. The branches are rigid and inactive. Young shoots have a reddish-olive tint, slightly covered with a gray edge. The bark of the Kilmarnock willow trunk is gray-green, becoming brown in older specimens. The branches initially rise up to a height of 50 cm, and then fall down, curving beautifully.
Vegetative buds are elongated, pointed, green in color, while flower buds are larger, rounded, and reddish-brown.
The leaves of the Kilmarnock variety willow are round or elliptical, 10-12 cm long and about 5 cm wide. They have a green color, a slightly wrinkled matte surface, and are covered with a felt gray edge on the inside. With the arrival of autumn, the color of the plates turns yellow. A distinctive feature of the leaves of the Kilmarnock willow is the irregular, jagged edge.
Flowering in this species occurs in March-April and begins before the leaves appear. It lasts for 10-12 days. At this time, last year's bare branches of the Kilmarnock willow are covered with soft gray oblong cylindrical multi-flowered earrings up to 10 cm long. Subsequently they become golden yellow and emit a pleasant delicate aroma. In Kilmarnock willow they are only of the male type, so the plant does not produce fruit.
The root system of the tree is well developed, densely branched, flat-spread type, located in the upper layer of soil. It tolerates tree trunk planting well.
Willow Kilmarnock forms a full crown within 2-3 years
Advantages and disadvantages
The Kilmarnock goat willow variety has many advantages that amateur and professional gardeners could appreciate. But the species also has certain disadvantages that need to be taken into account when choosing it.
Kilmarnock willow is an excellent honey plant
Main advantages:
- high decorative value throughout the year;
- quick adaptation to new conditions;
- frost resistance;
- high life potential;
- undemanding to soil composition and care.
Flaws:
- the need for regular pruning;
- does not respond well to prolonged drought.
Planting Kilmarnock willow
You can plant Kilmarnock willow in a permanent place in early spring and late autumn, but the first option is preferable for this crop, since the plant has time to grow and get stronger before winter. For planting, it is recommended to select one- or two-year-old Kilmarnock willow seedlings without signs of disease. When purchasing, it is recommended to give preference to seedlings with a closed root system, which eliminates the possibility of it drying out.
Kilmarnock Willow prefers an open, well-lit location. It is important that the plant has enough free space of at least 2 m on all sides for uniform growth of the crown.
Two weeks before the procedure, you need to prepare a hole 40 cm deep and 50 cm wide. It is recommended to lay drainage in a 10 cm layer at the bottom, and fill the rest of the space halfway with a nutrient mixture consisting of peat, turf, compost in equal proportions and add a little sand.
Kilmarnock willow planting should be carried out according to the standard scheme. Upon completion, the root collar of the seedling should be at soil level.
Kilmarnock Willow Care
Willow Kilmarnock is low maintenance. But following some simple rules of agricultural technology will help maintain the plant’s immunity at a high level and ensure its full development.
This variety tolerates short-term drought well, but in the absence of rain for a long time it needs regular watering. Young seedlings are more demanding of moisture. It is recommended to water the Kilmarnock willow once a week at a rate of 25-40 liters per tree.
After each irrigation, the soil surface at the base of the seedling must be loosened to maintain air access to the roots. During particularly hot periods, it is necessary to lay a layer of mulch near the plant to retain moisture in the soil.
Kilmarnock willow needs crown formation. It is especially important to carry out this procedure in the first years after planting. It is recommended to prune the tree after flowering. During this period, it is necessary to trim the shoots of a young seedling to a length of 15 cm, and of an adult willow - by 2/3 to the outer bud, which will increase the branching of the crown. In the future, throughout the season, you need to periodically adjust the crown to give it the correct shape.
It is recommended to feed the variety three times per season. The first time to fertilize Kilmarnock willow is in the spring before flowering. During this period, you can use urea or ammonium nitrate at 50-70 g per plant. The second feeding should be carried out in mid-June. At this time, it is important to use nitroammophoska 50-80 g, and the third - at the end of August using superphosphate 50-100 g and potassium sulfide 30-70 g. Fertilizer granules should be scattered into the root circle, followed by embedding in moist soil.In autumn, it is recommended to lay a 5 cm thick layer of humus at the base of the willow.
Kilmarnock willow produces flowers only on two-year-old shoots
Reproduction
Kilmarnock willow propagates well from cuttings. To do this, at the beginning of summer, you need to cut young shoots and divide them into parts 15-20 cm long. The cuttings must be placed in water for several days, and after the roots appear, planted in a loose nutrient substrate. You can transplant young seedlings to a permanent place when they are strong enough.
Diseases and pests
Willow Kilmarnock has high natural immunity. But inappropriate growing conditions can lead to a decrease in the stability of the tree. In this case, it may suffer from powdery mildew, green leaf roller, cap moth, necrosis of branches and trunk.
Therefore, when signs of disease appear, it is recommended to treat the plant with Skor, Horus, Bordeaux mixture or Switch, and in case of pest damage - with Actellik, Fufanon or Fitoverm.
Willow Kilmarnock in landscape design
Kilmarnock willow on a trunk is a self-sufficient plant. Therefore, it is recommended to use it as a tapeworm in the garden. A tree with a flowing crown looks original near a pond, the entrance to a gazebo, a house, or a veranda. Kilmarnock willow is also recommended for small gardens, alleys, and parks.
The variety can be grown as a tub crop
Conclusion
Willow Kilmarnock on a trunk belongs to the category of plants that successfully combine high decorativeness and unpretentiousness. Therefore, its popularity is growing every year, which is well deserved. Indeed, at the sight of this original tree, few can remain indifferent, since its lush crown looks original at any time of the year.
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