The Scarlet Curls Willow is a captivating ornamental plant, celebrated for its distinctively twisted, reddish-brown branches. This deciduous tree offers year-round visual interest, with its unique form providing a striking presence in the landscape, especially during colder months when its vibrant stems are most prominent. Its unique aesthetic makes it a popular choice for gardeners.
Understanding Scarlet Curls Willow
The Scarlet Curls Willow, scientifically known as Salix matsudana ‘Scarlet Curls’, is a hybrid willow cultivar recognized for its characteristic contorted branches and foliage. Young wood emerges with a scarlet-red hue, intensifying in color after the first frost, before transitioning to golden-yellow as branches mature. This tree exhibits an upright, rounded growth habit, reaching a mature height of 25 to 35 feet with a spread of 15 to 25 feet.
The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, displaying a bright green color in spring that deepens during summer. These leaves also possess a wavy edge, adding to the plant’s unique texture. In early spring, the tree produces fuzzy, pale yellow-green catkins, which are its flowers.
Planting and Site Selection
Successful establishment of a Scarlet Curls Willow begins with proper site selection and planting. This willow thrives in full sun, at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate partial shade. Greater sun exposure enhances its foliage color and overall growth.
The plant adapts to various soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, but performs best in moist, well-draining conditions. Consistent moisture is beneficial for its health.
Planting is best undertaken in fall or early spring to allow the tree to establish before temperature extremes.
When planting, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times wider. Position the tree so the base of the trunk sits slightly above the surrounding soil level, then backfill gently, ensuring roots are spread naturally. Plant Scarlet Curls Willows at least 10 feet away from structures, septic systems, or water lines due to their invasive root systems.
Essential Care Practices
Consistent watering is essential for the Scarlet Curls Willow, especially during dry periods, as willows prefer moist soil. While it can tolerate short periods of drought once established, regular deep watering, about once per week, is beneficial. Proper drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging, which can harm the roots.
Fertilization is not a frequent requirement for this willow. If new growth appears weak, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied once a year in early spring to support healthy development. Over-fertilizing should be avoided as it can lead to excessive, weaker growth.
Monitoring for pests and diseases is part of routine care. Willows can be susceptible to pests like aphids, caterpillars, and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or cankers. Maintaining the tree’s overall health through proper watering and soil conditions helps prevent such problems.
Pruning for Distinctive Shape and Color
Pruning directly influences the Scarlet Curls Willow’s ornamental appeal and promotes vibrant branch colors. It encourages the production of new, intensely colored, curly growth, as younger stems display the best red tones.
The optimal time for pruning is in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges and buds begin to swell.
Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to maintain the tree’s health and structure. Thinning overcrowded areas improves air circulation and sunlight penetration within the canopy, benefiting overall vigor. For continuous production of bright scarlet stems, coppicing is effective.
Coppicing involves cutting all stems back to just a few inches from the ground annually in late winter or early spring. This practice forces the plant to send up numerous vigorous new shoots, which will display the desired intense coloration. Alternatively, pollarding, which involves cutting branches back to a main trunk at a higher elevation, can also be employed to achieve similar results at a different height.
Utilizing Scarlet Curls Willow in Your Landscape
The Scarlet Curls Willow offers diverse applications in landscape design due to its striking visual characteristics. It serves as an excellent specimen plant, drawing attention with its unique contorted branches and vibrant winter color.
Its tolerance for moist conditions makes it a suitable choice for planting near water features, such as ponds or streams, where it can reflect beautifully. Its bare, colorful, and twisted branches provide strong winter interest, making it a focal point when other plants lack visual appeal.
These unique branches are valued for cut arrangements, both fresh and dried, and are often harvested for floral displays and indoor decor.