Info on Dappled Willow Shrubs

Info on Dappled Willow Shrubs

Native to Korea and Japan, dappled willow shrubs (Salix integra “Hakuro-nishiki”) are landscape multi-taskers. Whether working to curb sediment near streams or to hide your yard from prying eyes as hedges, they attract the weeping elegance of Asian Zen and rain gardens to your yard at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. As a bonus, they are also resistant to deer depredations and tolerate wet areas.

Characteristics

Dappled willows are deciduous shrubs that grow 4 to 6 ft in height and width with judicious pruning or 15 to 20 feet when permitted to grow into trees. Occasionally mistaken for their cousin, the pussy willow, they’ve yellow catkins, or extended clusters of single-sex blossoms that emerge before the salmon-colored leaf buds open in the spring, demonstrating pink, green and cream variegated leaves. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow before dropping in the depths, that bring a pop of color to your winter landscape with their red hue.

Care

Willows are forgiving of their soil conditions, however they favor a pH level between 5.6 to 7.8 and moist, well-drained dirt. Before the leaf buds and blossom bunches appear in the spring, apply a general-purpose fertilizer or dig in certain compost. Dappled willows shrubs grow well in full sun or partial shade, but the colors of the stems and foliage will be most stunning with more sunlight. To maintain the size of the shrubs and to support more color, prune dappled willow during the dormant winter season.

Diseases and Pests

“Hakuro-nishiki” dappled willow is vulnerable to tent caterpillars, aphids, lace bugs, borers, scale and spider mites. Cankers, powdery mildew, crown gall, rust and leaf spot may also lead to problems for your shrubs. Insecticidal soap might assist with some of the insects, but the best solution is to prune out all of the infested branches. Because willows are fast bushes, you can cut them back drastically without damaging them.

Propagation

Dappled willows, such as the remainder of the willow familymembers are easy to spread. Through the spring, cut 8-inch lengths of softwood comes without any leaves; at the winter, do the same with hardwood samples. Fill small garden pots with moist, fertile soil and put the cuttings in the dirt. When you can see the main system through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, then your new “Hakuro-nishiki” is prepared for transplanting.

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