Willows are wonderful garden trees and thrive in damp, full-sun locations. There are around 300 willow species to pick from, each with unique characteristics like beautiful stems and stunning grey-green foliage. Continue reading to learn how to develop a willow tree for a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant.

Types of Willow Trees

Willow trees are all defined by their preference for damp soil and their rangy, occasionally invasive root systems. Weeping and pussy willows are two of the most well-known varieties of willow trees, although there are many more.

You might even come upon a willow tree growing along the bank of a stream or river. In fact, willows come in a variety of forms and sizes, ranging from very huge to miniature cultivars, so there’s one for practically any garden.

The Magnifica Foot is a popular cultivar for residential gardens. It can be clipped to remain a shrub or allowed to grow into a miniature tree. White Willow is another popular type that can be used as a barrier or windbreak in bigger areas.

How to Grow Willow Trees

A willow tree can be grown from cuttings. Simply take a 46-cm-long cutting from an active terminal branch and place the cut end in wet ground in a pot with sufficient drainage. Maintain a moderate moisture level until the cutting develops.

Bare root trees are a more typical way of establishing willow trees. Before planting, immerse the roots in a bucket of water and work the soil to double the size and depth of the root distribution. Push the earth around the roots and thoroughly moisten the soil.

You can also buy a ‘withy,’ which is one small willow stems. Willow stems root quickly and is exceedingly malleable, making them ideal for interweaving into blooming willow structures.