(placeholder)

Salix 'Aquatica Gigantea Korso’  

aquatica = grows by water  

This selection was developed in Finland as part of their willows for biofuels program after the first Gulf War, to reduce their reliance on Middle-Eastern petroleum. It is named after a town of that name. It's extremely vigorous and one of the earliest willows to flower, even as early as late February in Northern Vermont! The male catkins start pink and gradually turn silver-gray as they expand to 2in plus; then the anthers pop out and add gold to the display! Mature leaves are some of the largest of all hardy willows, reaching 8–10in long (that's where the "Gigantea" comes from). Will grow to 18ft in two years after coppicing; this encourages young shoots that produce the most flowers. As the name indicates it can tolerate damp soils and flowers best in full sun. As with all trees, do not plant near drainage pipes/septic systems. Hardy to Zone 3.

USES: large ornamental shrub, but coppiced every 3-4 years to produce lots of young stems to enhance the winter landscape; long-lasting as a cut flower and can be forced into flower after the turn of the year. Good for large garden structures, coarse basketry and, of course, biofuels. Why is the USA so far behind on this?

Male catkins open pink in early March, turn to sliver-gray and grow much larger as they mature.

Stems have a light grayish-brown, felty indumentum (fuzzy hairs).

HOME         SALIX INDEX          ABOUT US         BEST WILLOWS FOR...         WILLOW STRUCTURES

<PREVIOUS VARIETY         COPPICING & POLLARDING         MAKING A FEDGE         EROSION  CONTROL         RESOURCES         NEXT VARIETY>

Typical long rods of coppiced

'Aquatica Gigantea Korso' dwarfing a

S. purpurea coppiced at the same time.

Young stems are felty to the touch.

Huge dark green leaves are very impressive. August

Undersides of leaves are also felty at first

Typical abundant growth from a coppiced plants in September

As stems mature they lose their felt and turn green-brown. That's a vegetative bud!

Here's a 'Korso' leaf with a typical purpurea leaf sitting in the middle. A little different in size!

Stages of development of the male catkins. April

Long straight shoots covered in catkins; they make excellent rods for building living structures.

Lush new growth 5ft high by mid June with the largest leaves of any willow we offer.

The foliage with the pink tinge it front is S. 'Winter Glory' (gracilistyla x caprea)

formerly misnamed S. chaenomeloides!

Late September and flower buds pop up in the axils of the leaves. Note the leafy stipules at the base of the leaf!

Catkins are white when they first appear. April

Bright red anthers swell to allow

the pollen to pop! Early May

Snow doesn't damage the flowers unless the pollen is on the loose! Early April

Pollen's here all you bees! Mid-April

Look at the luxuriant growth from this coppiced plant. Late May

There must be at least 20 rods forming.

WillowWorld

of Michael Dodge