Salix koreensis
koreensis = of Korea
Korean Willow
In the summers of 2016-17 I assisted the Montreal Botanic Garden with the nomenclature of some of their willows and realized when I examined their Salix koreensis that it was extremely similar to our 'Hakuro' (which I received erroneously as a selection of Salix integra). I was allowed to take cuttings to compare the two and sure enough the similarities were just too close to ignore. I grew these cuttings on and verified that the two were the same species with 'Hakuro' being a unique selection. Now we have added the species to the list of willows we offer. I haven't seen it flower yet so I can't tell you anything about the flowers--I will revisit the MBG to fill in this lack of information. It makes a fine specimen tree and will to grow to 65 ft tall when mature in its native countries: China, Japan, Korea, Eastern Russia and Mongolia. The tree in the Montreal BG is about half that size. The leaves are long lanceolate, with small glands on the serrate edges; the undersides of the leaves are glaucous. Hardy to at least Zone 4.
USES: As an ornamental tree, perhaps for basket making as when it is coppiced it makes fine red rods.
Young plants in the nursery from 2016 cuttings, obviously its vigorous. Late October.
Trunks of the specimen in the Montreal BG. My photos of the whole tree were not usuable--sorry.
Red petioles, flattish leaf buds in the axils of the leaves.
Glaucous on the undersides of the dentate leaves, glands on the tips of the dentations.
Left: early September the flower buds have started to swell; above: late-September;
Note the undersides of the leaves are glaucous (waxy blue-gray coating); also the serrated (saw-tooth) edges of the leaves, each with a gland at the tip!
An amazing ancient specimen of Salix koreensis from Korea with branches that are supported by metal posts.
It is so wonderful to see such respect for such a fabulous specimen.
Photo by Bastus917, downloaded from https://www.flickr.com/photos/bastus917/14194007256/in/photostream/
Salix koreensis 'Hakuro' showing the afinity to its parent with the red petioles and fat, squat catkin buds. Mid-October in evening light.
Foliage of Salix koreensis 'Hakuro' top and Salix koreensis below. The only difference between the two is that the species has larger catkin buds.
WillowWorld
of Michael Dodge