Content
Dwarf willow is a group of small trees up to 1.5-2, less often 3 m high. They produce a weeping, spreading crown, usually of a wide oval shape. The trees are very beautiful, grow quickly and are completely unpretentious. They can withstand even severe frosts, so they grow quite normally in most Russian regions.
Description of dwarf willows
Dwarf willows include varieties that grow to a height of 1.5-2 m, and often even lower. In fact, these are not even trees, but shrubs, the crown of which is spreading, the shoots are drooping, weeping. Therefore, they look very decorative.
The plant is winter-hardy and can easily tolerate even severe frosts, cold winds, and temperature changes. The branches are long, up to 1.5 m, without side shoots. The growth rate is small. For example, when a dwarf willow tree is propagated by layering, branches pressed to the soil can take root for several years.
Types of dwarf willows
Quite a few species of dwarf willows are known. Among them, the most common are:
- creeping;
- alpine;
- rocky;
- hairy;
- opposite leaf;
- blueberry;
- spear-shaped;
- Swiss.
One of the interesting types of dwarf trees is the creeping willow. It is a small shrub with creeping shoots. It grows in height up to 1.5 m, and in the first years it is even lower than the grass - about 30 cm. Creeping dwarf willow is unpretentious and gives good growth. It develops even on depleted soil, so even a summer resident without much experience can cope with cultivation.
The catkins of this dwarf willow tree appear at the same time as the foliage. They're not very attractive. The leaf blades are grayish on the outside and dark green on the inside.
There are two other similar species that also produce light gray leaves. These are dwarf rock and alpine willows. Their shoots are creeping, so it is not so easy to distinguish trees by appearance. But there are these signs:
- Alpine dwarf willow has smaller foliage;
- its branches grow more often;
- earrings differ in appearance and appear in different periods.
At the same time, both trees grow quite well and decorate the garden thanks to their beautiful crowns and unusually colored leaves.
Dwarf alpine willows are often used to create beautiful compositions
Another interesting species is the hairy willow. It produces rounded green foliage (with the underside being paler and the top being richer). The leaf blades are covered with pubescence on top and bottom, and the hairs can stick together after rain. Women's earrings are golden yellow, quite long, reaching 7 cm.
Dwarf hairy willow is found in Yamal, sometimes in the Murmansk region.It has very high winter hardiness and grows well in Siberia. However, it should be taken into account that it does not tolerate drought well. The foliage remains on the branches for a long time and turns yellow only in the second ten days of October.
The height of the tree varies over a wide range - from 50 cm and even up to 2-3 m. Much depends on care and weather conditions. So, in very frosty regions it simply spreads out on the ground, and in more favorable regions it reaches great heights.
The opposite-leaved dwarf willow is a small shrub with a rounded crown. Originates from Japan, winters well in regions where there is a lot of snow. The name is associated with the arrangement of the leaves - they are opposite each other, have an elongated shape, and are gray-green in color. It needs regular trimming, since the growth rate is high, and the crown may begin to spread.
Spear-shaped dwarf willow is distinguished by rounded, pointed leaves that shine in the sun. The crown spreads up to 2 m, but not immediately, but in mature trees. In nature, the plant is found both on the plain and in the mountains. It tolerates frost well, but does not tolerate excessive moisture - in this case, the foliage may turn yellow ahead of time.
Swiss dwarf willow produces branched shrubs of small height (60-70 cm). They have a neat crown and produce gray-green foliage with silvery pubescence. Earrings in lilac color. It grows best in fertile soils, so it is recommended to fertilize it periodically. It should also be taken into account that the tree may suffer from caterpillars and aphids.
Blueberry dwarf willow, also called blueberry willow, is a low shrub, height range from 20 to 80 cm. It grows in marshy areas. Produces oval foliage with slight pubescence.The branches are small, without covering, the bark is brown-red.
The best varieties of dwarf willows
Based on some species of dwarf willows, breeders have developed separate varieties. For example, creeping willow comes in two varieties:
- Argentea (Argentea) - produces narrower leaves than the main species.
- Green carpet (Green Carpet) - bright green foliage.
A popular spear variety is Wehrhahianii. Shaggy produces a variety with small foliage - Glanspean. All these varieties are unpretentious and take root quite well in almost all regions of Russia, including the north and Siberia.
Most varieties grow well in open areas
Where does the dwarf willow live?
The habitat of the dwarf willow is in the temperate and subarctic zone; trees are found mainly in the circumpolar region of Russia. They can also be found in the tundra of Europe and North America. Small trees grow even in Greenland and Spitsbergen. They develop normally on rich clayey, gravelly soils. Trees grow both on plains and in mountains up to an altitude of 3000 m above sea level.
Does dwarf willow grow in the steppe?
If we talk about the natural habitat of the dwarf willow in Russia, then the trees are mainly found in the north of the country. The steppe climate is less suitable, but willows can also be found in the south. They grow along river banks, next to forest valleys, because they do not like too much sun. At the same time, breeders have developed quite a few varieties that can be grown in almost any region with a temperate climate.
Features of cultivation
Dwarf willow lives normally in well-lit areas with moist soil. Moreover, the soil may well be depleted, but in order for the tree to grow well, it must first be fertilized.A few months before planting, add compost or humus (a bucket per square meter).
Planting can be planned for both April and September. Choose a well-lit place, away from lowlands where precipitation and meltwater accumulate. When planting willows, proceed as follows:
- Dig several holes 50x50 cm at a distance of 2-3 m (closer is possible if the crown is compact).
- Place pebbles and small stones on the bottom.
- Planted in the center, sprinkled with soil.
- Then compact it so that the root collar is flush with the surface.
- Water and mulch.
Features of caring for dwarf varieties depend on the specific variety. Most of them are unpretentious and grow even in the absence of fertilizing. However, it is recommended to ensure sufficiently good watering, especially during drought. You need to ensure that the soil does not dry out or crack.
Dwarf willows grow quickly even on poor soils
From fertilizers, it is enough to add a nitrogen composition, for example, 20 g of urea per square meter. They do this in early April. It is especially important to do regular pruning to keep the crown in good condition. Willows grow quickly and may lose their attractiveness if not trimmed. There is no need to cover the seedlings for the winter - it is enough to mulch the young plantings at the end of October.
Sometimes dwarf willows can suffer from powdery mildew, rot and other infectious diseases. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to treat with fungicides in early spring:
- "HOM";
- "Ridomil Gold";
- "Maksim";
- "Fitosporin".
To prevent the invasion of aphids, willow leaf beetles, spider mites, alder weevils and other pests, it is necessary to treat with insecticides:
- "Fitoverm";
- "Biotlin";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Karate".
Also, for prevention in the fall, it is necessary to dig up the soil in the tree trunk circle. At the same time, weakened, old shoots of the dwarf willow are pruned, and the foliage and fallen branches are carried away as far as possible.
Reproduction methods
Propagating dwarf willows is not always easy, since the survival rate is low. But you can try to separate them; for this they use two main methods:
- cuttings;
- receiving layerings.
Cuttings are harvested in the spring. Several young shoots are cut from the middle part of the branch; each should have at least three healthy buds. The bottom is cut at an acute angle, and the top is cut at a straight angle. Place in water with a growth stimulator for 12 hours, then plant halfway in fertile soil, cover with a transparent jar. Water with settled water, periodically ventilate, mulch for the winter, and next year transplant to a permanent place.
To obtain dwarf willow cuttings, several shoots are pinned to the soil in the spring, periodically watered and fed. They are mulched for the winter, and the next fall they are cut off from the mother bush and replanted in a permanent place.
Application in landscape design
Dwarf willow is ideal for decorating any garden, including a small area. It is used in single plantings on lawns, near the house, on benches, in open areas. The trees can be used to create hedges, in rocky hills, and in plantings along an alley.
Several options for using willow in garden design are shown below:
- Tree on a trunk.
- Composition by the fountain.
- Planting a dwarf willow next to a fence and pond.
- Composition with other trees.
Conclusion
Dwarf willow is one of the best representatives of the plant genus of the same name. It produces low, graceful trees that look beautiful in compositions and in single plantings. Caring for plants is simple - you need to water them occasionally, feed them and trim them regularly.
