Salix miyabeana Arnold Select
miyabeana = after Dr. Miyabe Kingo, a Japanese botanist
Chinese or Miyabe Willow
The cuttings of this highly ornamental selection of the Chinese Willow were generously shared with us by the Arnold Arboretum and is identified there by the following number: AA4322-62-B. It is a vigorous male clone that is unusual in that the coppiced stems are dark reddish brown, whereas all other selections are bright green in their first year. This makes the yellow male catkins stand out in contrast to the dark stems and results in a highly ornamental clone. As with other miyabeana clones, it makes great rods for living structures. Hardy to at least Zone 4.
USES: ornamental garden plant; best coppiced regularly unless you want a large tree. Also the coppiced stems can be used for living structures and dried for basketry and other objet d'art.
As with all Miyabe Willows, this one is very vigorous, with long straight rods.
Young stems green at top and darkening
lower down the stem
Typical male catkins of S. miyabeana before the anthers appear.
In early Autumn next year's red flower buds appear, with lance-shaped stipules beside the flower buds. At this time of year the stems are a delightful shade of red.
Here's a dark stem with "bloom" on it,
most unusual for this species. Clean green foliage that is glaucous underneath.
A male catkin with anthers showing the golden pollen within their sacs.
WillowWorld
of Michael Dodge