I've loved willow trees since I was young. The giant weeping willows in the park were just so grandiose. They're the kind of presence that makes even a little kid sit up and recognize that maybe the world is a little bigger and a little older than they are.
Our yard is far too small for a giant lake-side weeping willow, but when it dawned on me that there was any potential for me to finally have a willow of my own (as a part of our backyard rehabilitation project) I became a girl on a mission. So, naturally, I turned to google.
My first search was for dwarf willow trees. They are lovely, but I was semi-shocked that any willow tree existed that would reach a maximum height of 1 - 6 centimeters. A 1 centimeter tree? Really? Helo would destroy that before it even hit the ground.
Then I did some reading that suggested that some willows can be maintained as relatively small trees with diligent pruning. That sounded more like it.
I found a picture of a beautiful golden curls willow and headed to the nursery.
As luck would have it, they didn't have my type of willow tree. For a while, it appeared the only willow they had was a pussy willow. Not quite was I was looking for. Happily, the staff came to the rescue and guided Aaron and I to a cousin of my beloved golden willow - the scarlet curls willow tree. The difference? In the winter, we'll have gorgeous red branches. Double win!
So, as you can see above, I am now the happy owner of a newly planted scarlet curls willow. Anyone want to suggest names for my new friend?
Hmmm, how about Ginny? Though it doesn't fit as well with green leaves in the Spring, but oh well. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love willows too. Someday...
I was the same as a kid...just loved those big weeping willows...I always dreamed of having one on my "someday" farm! Our property is too small for most of them, but I was gifted one of the smaller, variegated ones when we first moved here. It's really started to take off this past year and is really lovely...yours looks fab with those red twigs!
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