sorry, sold out for
2020
Salix xpendulina f. erythroflexuosa
babylonica f. tortuosa X x pendulina f. salamonii 'Chrysocoma'
(erythro = red flexuosa = curly)
Scarlet Curly Willow
A hybrid between the European Golden Weeping Willow, S. x salamonii ‘Chrysocoma’ and the Chinese curly-stemmed willow Salix babylonica ‘Tortuosa’ found in Argentina--quite an international gathering! Possibly S. alba ‘Britzensis’ was involved with the breeding as the young stems are almost as red as that cultivar. This is a male selection with the brightest red stems of all curly willows; also bright yellow catkins that flower for us in late April. This is a show-piece plant with year-long interest from the shining copper-red twisted stems. Grows 15-25ft tall with upright trunks, and branches that twist in many directions. Grows well in average soil and full sun, and can be pruned to keep it smaller. Can also be coppiced to produce great cut stems for flower arrangements, especially if mixed with S. gracilistyla or ‘Mt Aso’. Hardy to Zone 5.
The curly willow advertised as ‘Scarlet Curls’ (Scarzacum) is greatly inferior, as it is nowhere near as scarlet in winter and is less erect. We have this inferior plant in the nursery for comparison only!
USES: ornamental shrub as a focal point; in borders, by pools or ponds; makes great cut stems either in water or dried. I use it in window boxes and outdoor containers in winter with other colored stem-varieties.
Scarlet Curly Willow, 12ft tall after 5 years in our garden. We haven’t done a thing with them since they were planted in 2008 (except enjoy). Talk about low maintenance!
In 2015 we had 30 straight nights of –25°F; sadly this split the bark on these trees killing all 5 of them.
We had grown them for 7 years in this location and a Zone 3/4 winter did them in.
Tragic, but this freeze did not kill the young plants in the nursery!
above left: Scarlet Curly Willows with a floribunda crabapple in front. Mid-May.
center: S. purpurea 'Gracilis', Malus 'Red Jade', Magnolia 'Yellowbird' back right.
Plus lots of dandelions in the lawn! I do not use weedkillers as I prize my dogs more than I dislike lawn weeds.
Young leaves of Scarlet Curly Willow starting to unfurl.
It’s no wonder I love what I do!
Like so many willows in our garden and nursery S. xerythroflexuosa flowered profusely in early May 2013
It's a male selection with bright yellow pollen clearly visible. Bees certainly feasted well that year.
Backlit Golden Weeping Willow and Scarlet Curly Willow at Daffodil flowering time (April).
The many twists and turns of the branches and twigs of Scarlet Curly Willow.
They make great additions to winter bouquets and flower arrangements.
Scarlet Curly Willow with April snow, 2015!
Little did we know they were in their death throws when this was taken.
On the bright side, it gives us the chance to replant with a different willow now!
Perhaps S. nipponica; we have only grown this for one year but it really struck our fancy!
A summertime view of our three Scarlet Willows. Late-June
left: young branches of Scarlet Willow dance in celebration of the arrival of spring. Such joy and exuberance. Early April.
WillowWorld
of Michael Dodge