Why Plant Corkscrew Willow?
Every day’s a bad hair day for the Corkscrew Willow, a fun plant with a bad perm that will bring a smile to the face of everyone who passes by it. Plant this fast-growing tree where it can spread its frizzy locks, and it will become an impressive medium- to large-sized specimen in no time, yet it will cast a light shade due to the delicacy of its silvery, slender leaves. This tree will produce lots of wonderful curly Willow branches for the crafter in your family to fashion into wreaths and arrangements, and any lengths cut during the growing season will be quickly replenished with a fresh crop of twisted Willow branches. Did you know that a substance taken from the bark of the Willow tree is used to produce salicylic acid? Salicylic acid is used to make dyes, and it even helps to preserve food. Beautiful AND helpful!
Corkscrew Willow, also known as Hankow, Curly, Globe, or Dragon’s Claw Willow, hails from China. It reached the U.S. via Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum in 1923. It was released to the public in the 1930s and was an instant sensation. There was nothing else quite like it—Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (a Contorted Filbert) has the same sort of curlicue branches, but is slow-growing and shrubby, and Twisty Baby™ Black Locust wasn’t around yet.
How to use Corkscrew Willow in the landscape?
Come on, lets do the twist! This quirky cousin of the Weeping Willow is just plain fun to have around! Its whimsically twisted branches and leaves dance in the breeze. A lighthearted addition to your landscape. Phone your friends and neighbors..."tonight we twist in the backyard!"
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Corkscrew Willow
Willows are just plain easy to grow. These large, yet delicate, trees can create quite a focal point in the garden. They tolerate most soil conditions, including wet soils. They aren’t too keen on dry soil conditions, but they do enjoy being planted in full sun. Willow trees are free of any major pest or disease problems. When your Willow tree is young, however, keep the trunk of your young Willow protected – ‘cause deer love ‘em!
How To Water
Immediately after planting, be sure to give your new Corkscrew Willow a thorough watering. The best way to do this is slowly and deeply to fully saturate the root system. For the first growing season, you should water this way every two to three days. As we venture into fall, you can lessen it to four to six before halting watering for winter. Once established, your tree will be mildly drought tolerant, but be sure to water in times of stress.
How To Fertilize
Willow trees are aggressive growers and can grow to be quite large. To help them grow into healthy large trees, apply a dose of fertilizer once a year in the fall for about the first 3 or 4 years. However, when planting, we recommend applying the Bower & Branch Elements Starter Plant Food to be sure it is off to a great start.
How To Prune
Corkscrew Willows are known for the twisty-turning branches that add a unique flair in any landscape, so pruning may be needed to help enhance the visibility of the branching structure. The best time to prune is in late winter to early spring, while the tree is dormant. Remove any damaged or dead branching, as well as those that inhibit the overall structure of your tree.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
