Plants ordered today will be shipped in Mid April 2023.
Willow, Weeping (Salix babylonica) potted tree, organic
$16.00
Family: Willow (Salicaceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 10
Fast-growing perennial tree to 50 feet, native to China. Grown from clones of our favorite giant weeping willow and these are extraordinarily well-rooted. They make the classic fountaining form. Weeping willow prefers full sun and ever-moist soil (or daily watering) and will eventually tap into subterranean water if there is any, and in this way attain great size and produce volumes of life-giving shade for human and beast alike. Traditional usage (TWM): Headache and general anti-inflammatory. Source of salicin. We use weeping willow shoot tea extensively in our propagation work, as it is loaded with plant hormones and works as an organic and farm-derived rooting medium. To make the tea, simply cut the branch ends from spring growth of weeping willow and put out in the sun in a bucket of water, allowing the shoots to develop roots and fill the water with growth hormones. Then use the tea to soak seeds before planting (especially recalcitrant ones) or water in cuttings so that they root more completely and faster. It really works! Its free. And its a very good reason to have willow trees around. Space trees 60 feet apart.
Potted tree, Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Question
Crystal (verified owner) –
We have a newly dug pond with a tiny peninsula stretching out – I was thinking of planting my willow on that patch, but the Georgia clay has become mixed into the cultivated land itself…and it is thick! The land used to be heavily farmed in that area and it was sandy loam(ish) before the clay. If needed, what would you recommend to amend the soil??
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Crystal,
Thanks for this thoughtful question. I think the tree would do fine on the peninsula. Any amendments you try to put in under the tree will soon be irrelevent–the tree will send its roots through them and be happy when it hits the water. What I do suggest is mulching around the tree after you plant it, using some neutral mulch that will deter weeds (and contains low or no weed seed itself!). Whatever’s easy from the local area–decomposed leaves, bark chips, pine needles–the tree would appreciate that. Richo
(0) (0)
Claire Drouault (verified owner) –
Hi Richo!
The Weeping Willow, Salix Babylonia I ordered from you in November 2020 has been living in my greenhouse while I try to make up my mind where to plant it permanently. Your instructions say it likes full sun but my lot is very shady. I would like to plant it on a four foot high bank so its roots might keep my fence from washing into the creek, but thanks to several tall trees nearby, the location can only be called partially sunny at best. Is there any chance it would survive there?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi claire, the proposed site sounds good to me–proximity to water more important than full sun. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Kay –
Hi Richo,
We have a pond that’s about 6 acres. In drought, it has a land bridge to one side that’s wide enough for a vehicle. Most of the time, it’s underwater, and the only thing that stays above water is a small hammock of land. It is mostly surrounded by water, between 5 and 20 feet deep in various places.
I wanted to know if I could plant a willow tree on the hammock. It would almost always be dangling over water. If it would grow there, it would be so beautiful, and give little fish and other creatures a place to hide and play.
Thanks in advance
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
you could plant a willow tree, and you could plant underneath it some european speedwell.
(0) (0)
Deborah Snyder –
Ricoh, what is european speedwell?
TIA, Deborah
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi! its Veronica beccabunga–we do list it on this site as seeds and plants. otherwise known as brooklime, it is a blue-flowered creeper of muddy places. Considered similar to watercress but less palatable and medicinally similar to plantain. r
(1) (0)
Rachel Y. –
We planted ours about 9 years ago now. Each year, it grows more and more beautiful. It has been through some pretty extreme weather here on the east coast, but it has remained very strong throughout it all. We love this tree so much, that we actually named it! It’s practically a member of our family. Thank you for sharing such a blessing with us!
(2) (0) Watch Unwatch
Jack nimble –
Do you carry willow root seeds
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi there, Willow doesn’t make seeds, we do have very nice potted trees of two different kinds of willow. r
(0) (0)
Beautiful, hardy, vigorous, and very low maintenance
Rachel Y. –
Weeping Willow Tree – approximately 9 years old
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch