The Weeping Willow, the tree with the bowed head

Buy your Babylonian willow

Buy your Willow Babylonia «Tortuosa»

The weeping willow is one of those trees that best figure in the backgrounds of our memory.

Their descending foliage, very green, lengthens as if it were made up of many fingers that extend forward until they touch the surface of the lake, rippling it slightly.

Isn’t it surprisingly simple to imagine such a scene? Perhaps precisely because we all know weeping willows. With that melancholy air, the majestic appearance but the bowed head. Like a past story, a story that we lived and loved but which then ended, remaining adrift in our memories.

Unfortunately, almost no one can boast a lake in the garden but nothing prevents us from welcoming one of these wonderful trees into our home. The shade of its branches could become the perfect bed for afternoons in company!

WEEPING WILLOW

The weeping willow, botanical name salix Babylonica, is part of the Salicaceae family and is native to China. It is fascinating to think that in nature it only exists there, then, since in history it was already used as an ornamental, we saw in it the opportunity to export a tree with all the credentials to conquer the West too. So it left together with travelers crossing the Silk Road until today it has spread throughout much of the world.

Their natural habitat is one that includes a lake or stream in the direct vicinityhaving these plants, a constant need to drink. They also love humid environments, where they live comfortably.

Their figure is extremely recognisable, thanks to their pendulous branches and thin leaves it is impossible not to distinguish them from other plants. Their size can vary depending on many factors but, generally, the weeping willow reaches around 10-15m, reaching, rather extraordinarily, even 25m.

THE FLOWERING OF THE WILLOW

With its lascivious green foliage, the fact that the willow flourishes is perhaps less immediate. Yet he does it.

Before its flowers, however, we underline that the willow is a dioecious plantthis means that there are male and female specimens. Consequently, the flowers produced are not the same between the two sexes. These particular flowers are called «catkins» and are presented in a very simple way. They are usually in clusters and the male flowers are yellow, longer than the female ones which, in turn, are smaller and light green in colour.

That of the willow is a rather reserved flowering, which does not aim to attract attention, yet manages to embellish the plant by varying its colors.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR WEEPING WILLOW

It is a strong and resistant plant, this is true but there are some things to pay very close attention to to ensure that our beautiful plant grows healthy and strong.

EXPOSURE

The weeping willow prefers sunny or partial shade areas.

TEMPERATURE

It resists the cold without any problem. Attention should rather be paid to the humidity of the environment, in fact, as we will see when we talk about water, the willow does not like excessively dry areas.

LAND

Nowadays it’s nothing new when talking about the weeping willow, the key word: humidity. This rule remains the same even when talking about the terrain. Salix Babylonica will grow best in moist, fertile, nutrient-rich soil.

WATERFALL

Here we are at what, if we really want, can be defined as «the sore point» of the willow. On the one hand, the good thing is that at least in this article you will not read 30 times “pay attention to water stagnations«, because, unlike many of her peers, the willow needs constant water and moist soil. So let’s forget about dry soil and prepare to guarantee it the most favorable environment. To recap: the soil must always be moist. During the summer then irrigation must become even more frequent, especially in case of drought. You will immediately notice when the plant is thirsty, as the first indicator is the health of the leaves.

FERTILIZER

Like most trees, weeping willows must be fertilized when they are planted and then every 2-3 years to ensure that the soil always has nutrients available.

Fertilization should be done in autumn, possibly with organic powder fertilizer diluted in water for watering. If you really want to assist the plant in all its phases, during the intense period of spring development, you can give it a solution based on iron sulphate, in order to provide it with more energy during growth.

PRUNING

Pruning the willow is not so necessary for its health, it is more for an aesthetic factor. Shortening the branches is possible and will not cause particular damage to the tree. But after all, doesn’t the beauty of the willow reside precisely in the cascade of branches that slide towards the ground?

PLACING

Planting the willow is not complex precisely because of the act itself, but we have included it among the points more for a question linked to the organization of the garden. Once planted, the willow will begin to grow quickly and will be difficult to movetherefore the position you choose would be better if it were also the definitive one. This is a point that will not only affect him but also the vegetation around and the appearance of the garden. For example, make sure that it does not obscure plants that require direct light or in any case very bright areas. The same goes for windows and any other areas located on the outside of the house. Furthermore, it is important to choose a place that does not sacrifice the plant and where it can grow best. Let’s leave aside the corner of the garden against the wall and similar places. Not only would the weeping willow not grow to its full potential, but it would also be penalized on an aesthetic level.

REPRODUCTION

Incredibly, willow reproduction is not excessively complex. In fact, it works through woody cuttings. Just take a well-formed and healthy cutting and plant everything in the ground. From there your willow will grow.

PARASITES AND DISEASES

The willow is a rather long-lived tree, in fact it can live up to about 30 years. However, he is subject to various diseases, which is why it is best to keep his health under control. Among the major enemies we find parasites, such as aphids, lice and caterpillars which with their attacks can lead to the death of the plant, as its thin branches are rather delicate. In these cases it is best to act immediately, trying to completely eliminate the small attackers with specific products. Another problem is represented by diseases of fungal origin, in particular rust. And a final note goes to canker, which can develop in our willow and which must be treated immediately to prevent it from spreading.

CURIOSITY

The weeping willow is a plant that hides many curiosities! Starting from its name, in fact it derives from an incorrect translation. The name “willow” has Celtic roots and means “near the water” and so far it is correct, but then comes the “Babylonica”. This part of the scientific name was born from an exchange, in fact in a psalm of the Old Testament the Babylonian poplar is described, which, due to an error, was mistaken for the weeping willow.

Willow wood is also a favorite among diviners. We don’t know whether it’s true or not, but who practices this art? Well, let’s call it that, for those who practice this art, willow wood is so sensitive to water that it would only be able to find it by passing over the surface of the ground.

THE SYMBOL OF THE WILLOW

The symbolism linked to the willow is truly profound and has its roots in a vast number of cultures and religions.

For example, for Christians the willow can be found in the legend that tells of Christ who, on Golgotha, got back on his feet with the help of a willow branch. The willow had extended its branches downwards for him, so that he could grasp them. When Christ resumed his sufferings, the tree was unable to recover from this pain and remained with its head bowed for the rest of the centuries.

The strongest symbolism is linked however to immortality. In the Far East all this is truly felt, so much so that the central part of the lodges of T’ien-ti hueiit is called «City of Willows«, in turn that city is a place of immortality. Even in Tibet it is considered a fundamental tree, theTree of lifethis is the meaning that was once attributed to them, when they were planted in the sanctuary of Lhassa.

This interpretation is also found in the West, in fact Erma, in the Shepherd, notes the tenacity of the willow «So if these branches are planted in the ground and receive a little moisture, many of them come back to life”.

MYTH AND POETRY

Making another mention of the name, for the English the willow was linked to the world of witches, in fact the willow, in English «willow” has the same origin as “witch«, what does it mean «witchIt is said that their flying brooms were made of willow wood. Furthermore, during the witch hunts that took place during the Middle Ages, the willow was considered a source of evil.

For the Celts the willow was linked to the female divinity of fertility. The Druids instead used its wood to build musical instruments which, once played, would enchant listeners.

The willow is also the protagonist of many works, including Othello, Hamlet and in Italian works such as «At the sources of Clitumnus” by Carducci or even “To the branches of the willows” by Quasimodo.

THE WEEPING WILLOWS OF LE GEORGICHE

Here at Vivai le Georgiche we host two varieties of weeping willow: Salix babylonica and Salix babylonica “Tortuosa”.

• Babylonian willow
  • Expanded weeping form with thin, pendulous branches;
  • It reaches a height of approximately 12m;
  • It has spiral leaves with a serrated edge that are light green in color and become golden yellow in autumn;
  • Tree cultivated for its habit, foliage and decorative male inflorescences.
• Babylonian Willow «Tortuous»
  • Expanded weeping form, with very twisted branches;
  • It reaches a height of approximately 8m;
  • It has spiral leaves with a serrated edge, bright green above and gray-green below, becoming golden yellow in autumn;
  • Very decorative tree, especially in winter;
  • Cultivated for its habit, foliage and decorative male inflorescences.

It’s time to bring a willow tree into our lives! These very characteristic trees are certainly the right choice for those who have a nice space available in their garden. Their mere presence will be enough to transform a small lawn into a comfortable and relaxing area, isn’t that magnificent?