Golden Weeping Willow vs Weeping Willow: How to Choose the Right Tree for Your Landscape

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Robby

Willows, Salix spp., are deciduous ornamental landscape trees for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9 that offer a dazzling array of characteristics like twisting branches, curly leaves, and kitten-soft flower buds, depending on the species.

Cultural requirements include part sun to full shade, well-draining sandy loam, and moderate to high quantities of water.

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Our guide to growing willows has all you need to enjoy trees in your outdoor living space.

Weeping willow trees are some of the most elegant and graceful trees you can grow in your yard. With their long, trailing branches that sway gently in the breeze, they can add a romantic, peaceful feel to your outdoor space. But when it comes to selecting a weeping willow, you have a choice between the classic green-leaved weeping willow, Salix babylonica, and the golden weeping willow, Salix × sepulcralis ‘Chrysocoma’. What’s the difference between these two popular weeping willow varieties and how do you decide which one is right for your landscape?

Overview of the Weeping Willow

The weeping willow is native to China and was introduced to Europe and North America in the 18th century. These medium to large deciduous trees are known for their tall narrow growth habit and long pendulous branches that give them their iconic “weeping” shape.

Weeping willows thrive in moist soil and are well-suited to growing near ponds streams or other wet areas. Their extensive root system seeks out water, which is why they are sometimes known as “water-loving” willows.

Weeping willows are fast growing trees, gaining up to 8 feet per year when young. They typically reach heights of 30-50 feet tall and spreads of 30-40 feet wide. Their branches hang down and gracefully sweep the ground.

Weeping willows have alternate, simple leaves that are lance-shaped and green in color. They produce catkins of tiny flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge.

Green Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

The green weeping willow is the classic weeping willow species with slender, olive-green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. This is the iconic weeping willow most often depicted in art and photographs.

Some key facts about the green weeping willow:

  • Originated in China.
  • Features long, thin leaves that are bright green on top and silvery underneath.
  • Grows up to 50 feet tall and wide.
  • Has a fast growth rate.
  • Prefers moist soil.
  • Provides light dappled shade below canopy.
  • Susceptible to breakage in storms.
  • Can become invasive as roots spread.

The green weeping willow is beautiful, but it does have some drawbacks. It is prone to limb breakage, especially in storms with heavy winds or snow. Its invasive roots can disrupt underground pipes and surfaces. It also tends to litter the ground below with fallen leaves and branches.

Golden Weeping Willow (Salix × sepulcralis ‘Chrysocoma’)

The golden weeping willow, also known by its cultivar name ‘Chrysocoma’, is a hybrid willow with vibrant yellow-gold branches. It is a smaller, more compact variety compared to the green weeping willow.

Here are some key facts about the golden weeping willow:

  • A hybrid between Salix babylonica and Salix alba.
  • Has bright yellow twigs that add color, especially in winter.
  • Grows up to 30 feet tall and wide.
  • Slower growth rate than green weeping willow.
  • Needs consistent moisture.
  • Provides light shade below canopy.
  • Resistant to breakage.
  • Less invasive roots than green weeping willow.

The golden weeping willow is prized for its yellow twigs that brighten up the winter landscape. It tends to be stronger, with less branch breakage than the green weeping willow. It also has less aggressive roots. Overall, it requires a little less maintenance and care than the green weeping willow.

Key Differences Between Varieties

When choosing between these two weeping willow varieties, consider these key differences:

  • Height and spread – The green weeping willow grows significantly larger than the golden weeping willow. Make sure you have room for it to reach its full mature size.

  • Branch color – The green weeping willow has olive-colored branches while the golden weeping willow’s branches are yellow, adding color in winter.

  • Growth rate – The green weeping willow is very fast growing while the golden grows at a more moderate pace.

  • Maintenance – The golden weeping willow holds up better in storms and has less invasive roots, requiring a little less annual pruning and care.

  • Invasiveness – The green weeping willow’s roots can sometimes spread aggressively and cause damage. The golden is less invasive.

How to Choose Between Golden and Green Weeping Willows

When selecting a weeping willow for your yard, consider the following:

  • Your climate – Both trees need consistent moisture. Make sure your climate provides sufficient rain or irrigation.

  • Sun exposure – Weeping willows grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Make sure the tree will get at least 6 hours of sun a day.

  • Soil type – These trees thrive in moist, well-draining loam or clay soil. Avoid planting them in very sandy or dry soils.

  • Space available – Consider the mature height and width of each variety and make sure you have room. The green weeping willow can easily reach 50 feet tall and wide.

  • Invasiveness – If you have underground pipes, patios, or structures near where you are planting, choose the golden weeping willow to minimize root problems.

  • Maintenance – Do you want to minimize pruning and cleanup each year? Go with the golden weeping willow since it is less messy and prone to damage.

  • Aesthetics – Decide if the bright yellow twigs of the golden weeping willow fit your landscape vision or if you prefer the traditional green variety.

Caring for Weeping Willows

Once established, weeping willows require minimal care. Follow these tips for growing healthy, happy weeping willow trees:

  • Water regularly during the first few years while the root system is developing. Provide about 1-2 inches of water per week.

  • Weeping willows thrive with consistent moisture, so water during droughts.

  • Mulch around the base to preserve soil moisture and reduce weeds.

  • Prune crossing or damaged branches in late winter. Avoid excessive pruning which removes the graceful form.

  • Monitor for pests like borers, scale, and tent caterpillars and treat if populations explode.

  • Remove suckers that sprout from the roots to control spread.

Add Graceful Style with a Weeping Willow

With their elegant form and gently cascading branches, weeping willows are ideal for landscapes seeking a soft, romantic feel. Both the classic green weeping willow and the golden weeping willow offer gorgeous arching beauty. Choose the golden variety for stronger wood, bright color, and less invasiveness or go with the traditional green for its iconic, large-scale form. With the right planting site and proper care, a weeping willow can provide decades of enjoyment in your yard.

golden weeping willow vs weeping willow

Pink Pussy Willow

S. discolor ‘Rosea,’ commonly known as pink pussy willow is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with silky soft pink catkins in the spring that bloom on the previous season’s wood.

It’s a cultivated variety of native S. discolor, discussed below.

Prune after flowering for annual armfuls of bud-laden stems for vase arrangements. Growth is upright with a rounded canopy of elliptical green leaves with silvery undersides.

Mature heights are 15 to 25 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. Provide full sun in Zones 4 to 9.

Pink pussy willow is available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Pussy willow, S. discolor, is a small native tree or multi-stemmed shrub native to the United States and Canada.

It has a rounded canopy and silvery white catkins in the spring. The leaves are elliptical, with green on top and a silver cast below. Grow as a specimen in the cutting garden for an abundance of stems to add to your arrangements.

Mature dimensions are 15 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. Grow in full sun in Zones 4 to 9.

Plants are available from Nature Hills Nursery.

‘Scarlet Curls,’ is a medium-sized upright tree with twisting stems and curling green leaves. It’s a hybrid cross between S. babylonica var. matsudana and S. alba.

The branches offer spectacular colors: red when young and yellow as they age.

Heights are 25 to 30 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. Grow in full sun in Zones 5 to 8.

‘Scarlet Curls’ is available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Native to China, the weeping willow, S. babylonica, is a large species that displays layer upon layer of slender, arching branches that sway gracefully, adding motion to the landscape.

Fine, lance-like green leaves shade yellow in autumn.

Mature dimensions are 30 to 50 feet tall and wide. Grow in full sun in Zones 4 to 9.

Weeping is available from Fast Growing Trees in a variety of sizes.

13 Favorite Willow Varieties

Salix species are fast-growing trees with invasive root systems. Take care to plant them away from pavements and piping to avoid damage.

golden weeping willow vs weeping willow

Some varieties produce catkins, pendant flower clusters that may be male or female.

They are generally greenish and nondescript, but do attract beneficial pollinators. Types that display more noticeable colors or do not produce catkins are noted below.

And now let’s meet 13 of our favorite Salix varieties for the home landscape:

Bred in New Zealand, Salix x ‘Austree,’ is a tall and narrow cultivated hybrid cross between S. babylonica var. matsudana and S. alba.

It features lush green foliage and is best suited to growing as privacy and wind screens. ‘Austree’ is exceptionally tolerant of a variety of soil types and cold weather conditions.

Expect mature heights of 35 to 45 feet with a spread of five to 10 feet, but its height can be kept in check with regular pruning. Provide full sun to part shade in Zones 4 to 9.

This hybrid is available from Fast Growing Trees.

Corkscrew or curly willow, S. babylonica var. matsudana, (syn. Salix babylonica var. pekinensis, S. matsudana) is native to China and Korea and has unique characteristics that make it a landscape focal point.

Twisting branches and twisting, serrated leaves create a texturally rich delight. Yellow autumn foliage and bare yellow winter branches make this a specimen for all seasons.

Expect a mature height of 20 to 30 feet with a spread of 15 to 30 feet. Provide full sun to part shade in Zones 4 to 8.

Corkscrew is available from Fast Growing Trees in a variety of sizes.

Dappled aka tri-color or coyote willow, S. integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki,’ brings variegated hues to the outdoor living space in an upright, rounded form.

Green foliage dappled with white emerges with a pinkish hue in the spring. Red fall foliage and winter branches make for a glorious year-round display.

S. integra is native to China, Japan, Korea, North America, and Siberia. Mature heights are seven to 10 feet with a spread of four to six feet.

This cultivar prefers full sun in Zones 4 to 9 and exhibits above-average drought tolerance once established.

Dappled is available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Salix alba ‘Flame,’ is a cultivated variety of the white willow which is native to Asia, Europe, and northern Africa.

It is an upright, multi-stemmed cultivar with dense branching suited to use as a privacy screen or windbreak.

Yellow leaves blaze in the fall, followed by striking orange-red winter stems. This type does not produce catkins.

Trees mature to 18 to 20 feet tall and five to 15 feet wide. Choose a full sun to part shade placement in Zones 4 to 9.

‘Flame’ is available from Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

‘Golden Curls’ has twisting bronze branches and curly, long leaves that dangle downward, rippling gracefully in the breeze and shading to yellow in the fall.

Showcase this delicate and whimsical cultivar as a standalone specimen.

This cultivar is a hybrid of the corkscrew type, S. babylonica var. matsudana, and the golden weeping willow, S. alba ‘Tristis.’

Expect mature dimensions of 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. Provide full sun in Zones 4 to 8.

Golden Curls is available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Missouri, S. eriocephala, aka Missouri River or heart-leaved willow, is a multi-stemmed shrub or tree with green twigs and rich green foliage. Yellow catkins in spring attract local bees.

It’s native to the United States and Canada. Plant singly or in groups for bird and pollinator habitat.

This native species is a compact plant of moderate height, topping out at eight to 12 feet tall and eight to 10 feet wide. It performs well in a full sun location in Zones 5 to 9.

You can find plants available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Prairie willow, S. humilis, is a North American native multi-stemmed tree or shrub with green foliage that sports slightly ruffled margins.

Small white catkins attract pollinators in the spring. Mass plant for an informal, pollinator-friendly hedgerow.

Mature dimensions are a compact five to 10 feet tall and four to eight feet wide. Grow in full sun in Zones 4 to 6.

Prairie is available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Navajo, aka globe or Navajo globe willow, S. babylonica var. matsudana ‘Navajo’ makes a substantial focal point with its single trunk and globe-like canopy.

The green foliage has silvery undersides that shimmer playfully in the wind, shading yellow in the fall.

Mature dimensions are an imposing 30 to 50 feet tall and wide. Plant in full sun in Zones 5 to 9.

Globe willow is available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Niobe golden weeping willow, S. alba ‘Tristis’ is a cultivated variety of the white willow.

It’s a show stopping choice with cascading golden branches that mature to brown. Fine elliptical green foliage shades yellow in the fall.

Expect a mature height of approximately 50 to 60 feet and a spread of 30 to 40 feet. Choose a full-sun to part-shade location in Zones 4 to 8.

Niobe golden weeping is available from Fast Growing Trees.

It is also available from Nature Hills Nursery.

Golden Weeping Willow Grow Guide

FAQ

What is the difference between a golden willow and a weeping willow?

Golden willows, Salix alba, are a species of white willow trees whose new growths produce a vibrant golden hue. The branches are similar to weeping willows, but they are not as pendulated and pronounced as the weepings.

How big do golden weeping willows get?

Golden Weeping Willows typically grow to be 50 to 75 feet tall and wide. They are known for their fast growth rate and graceful, weeping branches with a golden hue.

Is the Golden Weeping Willow invasive?

These roots also help the tree thrive near water sources, which can lead to it outcompeting native species in these habitats. Weeping Willow is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

Are golden willows messy?

They tend to break and lose branches more often than other trees. People commonly consider these to be a messy but beautiful tree.

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