Purple Weeping Willow

Purple Weeping Willow (Salix Purpurea Pendula) – a popular form of purple willow. Widely distributed in Eastern and Western Europe.

Represents a large shrub or small tree with a conical, later broadly rounded crown. Reaches 5-7 m in height, with a width of 3-5 m. Grows quickly, 20-30 cm per year. Young shoots are smooth, reddish-purple, later becoming pale gray.

Leaves narrowly lanceolate, narrow, glossy above, bluish-green on the upper surface, gray-blue beneath, up to 8 cm long, with a sharply serrated margin.

Flowers early, before leaf emergence, in March-April. Catkins small, up to 3 cm long, silvery-green. Male catkins have noticeable purple anthers.

Hardiness zone: 4b-8(-29°C).

Location: sun-loving. Grows well in urban conditions. Not demanding regarding growing conditions. Requires a site protected from strong winds. Tolerates urban conditions well.

Soil: not demanding, grows on any sufficiently moist soil with good drainage. Prefers fertile soil, although it can grow on poor and dry soils.

Planting: Best planted in spring before bud break. When establishing a «willow stand» (a willow thicket) it is recommended to cultivate the soil in autumn to a depth of 30-80 cm, depending on its fertility and dryness.

The topsoil layer should be turned over. Recommended spacing between seedlings is at least 0.6-2 m, depending on the species. Planting depth – 40-70 cm. Transplanting is recommended up to 3-4 years of age. On heavy soils a drainage layer of gravel or sand 20-30 cm thick is recommended.

Pruning: tolerates clipping and pruning well.

Care: practically requires no care.

Propagation: propagates well from cuttings.

Pests: longhorn beetles, willow leaf beetle (Lochmaea caprea), Crepidodera aurata, sawfly larvae (Trichiosoma sibiricum), lepidopteran caterpillars (Acleris cristana, Teleiodes notatella, etc.).

Diseases: affected by fungal diseases – fungi of the genera Melampsora, Rhytisma, Erysiphe, Phytophthora ramorum.

Uses: used in solitary plantings, for creating landscape corners, flower compositions, and for decorating water bodies.