James H. Schutte
Family
Salicaceae
Botanical Name
Salix babylonica f. tortuosa
Plant Common Name
Corkscrew Willow
General Description
The twisted curly branches of this pretty weeping waterside tree add interest to the landscape and can be cut and added to floral arrangements. The contorted weeping willow is a classic for open landscapes with ponds or moist lowlands. It is an upright but weeping, fast-growing, deciduous tree native to eastern Asia. Though deciduous, it is beautiful year-round because of its elegant weeping branches that are pretty and interesting with leaves or without.
The curly branches are long, pendulous and yellow-green. In early to mid-spring they bear soft, inconspicuous yellow-green catkins. Directly after, long slender green leaves appear. These have waved edges, waxy pale green undersides and turn pale yellow. in fall.
The Babylon willow is a lowland tree or pondside tree that prefers to have ample moisture nearby. It grows best in full sun and organic-rich soil. Its weeping branches are a joy to sit beneath in the summertime. In fact they are commonly grown as specimens trees with benches placed beneath.
The contorted weeping willow is a smaller tree than the standard. It is short-lived but well worth growing because of the interest it provides. Some sell it under the name Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa.'
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
30'-40' / 9.1m - 12.2m
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Width
15'-20' / 4.6m - 6.1m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
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Native To
Eastern Asia, China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Weeping
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
