We grow 4 varieties of curly willow: Coral Bark, Golden, Scarlet and Green. We sell fresh-cut branches mid November through March (and into the summer months when we get our walk-in cooler in 2013) and small trees ranging from 12″ to four feet (March through November). We also have a limited supply of dried branches and large rods that can be used to build wedding arches or garden arbors. Contact us if interested.
Each curly willow variety has a different bark color and distinct growth habit. As a general rule, curliness becomes more pronounced on second year growth, but tends to become less pronounced on older trees. Curly willows can be allowed to grow into trees or coppiced (cut to the ground) each year, if a shorter, multi-stem shrub is preferred. Do your heavy pruning in March so that you can enjoy the winter interest these trees provide- contorted branches and vibrant color.
Gorgeous winter color of Coral Bark, Scarlet and Golden Curly Willow. These branches were harvested mid winter.
Coral Bark Curly Willow. Zones 4-5, full sun. Height: 15 feet. Orange/red branches in winter, new growth on branches reddest in color. Branches tend to cascade horizontally and weep after a few years. Winter bark color is stunning against a backdrop of snow.
Golden Curly Willow. Zone 4, full sun. Height: 25-30 feet. An upright grower with deep golden bark on new growth in winter (more yellow in summer), curlier on 2nd year growth. Winter color ranges from golden to copper, depending on the age of branches. This variety produces the curliest branches of all (very zigzaggy) with pale yellow catkins in spring. Our dear cat, Peaches, made his way into the image below.
Scarlet Curly Willow. Zone 4, full sun. Height: 25-30 feet. An upright grower with deep mahogany colored new growth the color of Merlot. Older wood ranges red to pale purple. Faster-growing than the other varieties, curl is more pronounced the second year.
Green Curly Willow. Zone 4, full sun. Height: 25-30 feet. Grows into an attractive globe-shaped tree with olive colored branches. Curliness is more pronounced on second year growth. Not a very good image, I know. Was taken in ’09- we now have a better camera.
None of these curly willows reaches the size of some of the more “invasive willows”- weeping and black, to name 2. Nevertheless, you should site these away from septic tanks and water lines, as the roots could invade leaky pipes. The same can be said for most Maples and Poplars.