Curly willow, also known as corkscrew willow, is a popular ornamental tree admired for its graceful, twisted branches and delicate foliage. With its eye-catching twisted stems, it makes a beautiful decorative accent in any landscape.
While often planted in the ground curly willow can also be grown successfully in containers. Container gardening is a great option if you have limited space but still want to enjoy this unique plant.
Growing curly willow in a pot allows you to showcase its corkscrew-like stems on a patio, balcony, or any small area. With the right care and conditions, your container-grown curly willow will thrive for years.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about growing curly willow in a container.
Selecting the Right Pot or Planter
Choosing an appropriate container is the first step to growing healthy curly willow. Here are some tips:
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Size – Select a container at least 18-24 inches wide and deep. Curly willow can reach 15 feet tall at maturity. Go bigger if you have the space.
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Material – Opt for terra cotta, plastic, wood or metal pots with drainage holes. Avoid non-porous materials like ceramic that retain moisture.
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Drainage – Ensure your container has several holes for drainage and use a saucer to catch excess water. Good drainage is key.
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Portability – If you want to move the plant choose containers with handles or casters. Curly willow gets heavy as it grows.
Match the pot size to the space you have and the mature height you want for your curly willow. Bigger is generally better!
Using the Right Potting Mix
Use a commercial soilless potting mix made for container gardening. Avoid regular garden soil, as it won’t provide the drainage curly willow needs.
A quality potting mix should:
- Drain well to prevent waterlogging
- Retain some moisture so roots don’t dry out
- Offer aeration for healthy roots
A homemade blend of peat moss, perlite, and compost in equal ratios also works great.
Before planting, fill the pot with soil and water thoroughly to settle it. Allow excess moisture to drain out.
Planting Your Curly Willow
Follow these simple steps when planting your curly willow:
- Select a young, flexible sapling or branch cutting with lots of side shoots.
- Dig a hole in the potting mix to fit the root ball or lower cutting.
- Place the plant in the hole and backfill with more mix to stabilize.
- Firm the soil gently around the base, leaving no air pockets.
- Water deeply until it drains from the bottom drainage holes.
- Situate in full sun. Provide a trellis for support as stems grow taller.
- Mulch around the base with compost to retain moisture.
In no time, your curly willow will take off! Proper soil, sun exposure, and consistent watering are the keys to success.
Watering Needs
Curly willow prefers consistently moist soil, especially during the active growing season. Water whenever the top few inches become dry. Check soil moisture with your finger.
Depending on factors like weather, sun exposure, and container size, you may need to water small pots every 2-4 days. Larger containers can go longer between waterings.
Always water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot. This encourages deep root growth. Allow excess to drain into a saucer.
Proper watering is vital for container curly willows. Their roots are confined, so both underwatering and overwatering can damage the plant.
Sun Exposure
For best growth and curly stems, provide your potted curly willow with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. A sunny south-facing location is ideal.
Curly willow tolerates partial shade but may get leggy and sparse without enough sun. Insufficient light leads to sparse branching and weak growth.
Rotate the container occasionally so all sides get even light exposure. This encourages symmetrical, full growth. Morning sun is gentler than hot afternoon rays.
Fertilizer Application
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer. This gives curly willow the nutrients it needs for vigorous growth.
You can also use a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time and again mid-season. Just mix lightly into the top few inches of soil.
Stop fertilizing in fall and winter or reduce to once a month. Excess fertilizer leads to weak, floppy growth when light is reduced.
Pruning for Shape
Prune curly willow in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. First remove any dead or damaged branches.
Then make heading cuts to stimulate the growth of side shoots lower on stems. This maintains a full, shrubby shape over time. Avoid shearing off all branch tips uniformly.
You can also prune occasionally in summer to manage size and shape. But don’t remove more than 30% of branches at once.
Overwintering Care
In cold climates, some overwintering care is needed for container curly willows:
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Move the pot close to your home’s foundation for protection from wind.
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Wrap or cover the plant with burlap if hard freezes are expected.
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Apply thick mulch around the base to insulate roots from cold.
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Water every few weeks during winter dry spells if soil isn’t frozen solid.
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Bring the pot into an unheated garage or shed on the coldest nights.
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Spray with antidesiccant to reduce winter desiccation.
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Avoid pruning until spring so you don’t stimulate tender new growth.
With proper cold protection, curly willow can thrive for years in a container. Just give it sun, water, and occasional pruning.
Why Grow Curly Willow?
Here are some great reasons to try growing curly willow in a container:
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Eye-catching form – The twisted corkscrew stems provide unique visual interest.
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Versatile size – Stays compact enough for containers with pruning.
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Fast growing – Curly willow establishes quickly.
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Hardy – Tolerates a wide range of climates and soils.
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Low maintenance – Requires little care once established.
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Wildlife appeal – Attracts birds and pollinators.
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Year-round beauty – Nice shape even in winter.
With the right care, curly willow is an easy-to-grow container plant that offers delightful twisted stems you just can’t find with other trees. Give it a try this season!
Frequently Asked Questions
What size container do I need?
Select a container at least 18-24 inches wide and deep for a good curly willow specimen. Larger is better to support vigorous growth.
How often should I water container curly willows?
Water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. This may be every 2-4 days depending on weather, pot size, etc. Always check soil moisture before watering.
When should I fertilize my potted curly willow?
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. You can also use slow-release granular fertilizer at planting and mid-season.
Is curly willow suitable for growing in pots?
Yes! Curly willow’s compact size and shallow roots make it an excellent choice for container growing. Just provide adequate water, nutrients, and pruning.
How do I overwinter container curly willows?
Move pots close to your home’s foundation for shelter. Cover plants during hard freezes. Apply winter mulch around the base. Water occasionally if soil isn’t frozen. Bring inside on the coldest nights.
Growing the unique corkscrew willow in a container is simple and rewarding. Follow this guide for success with your potted curly willow specimen!
Why to Grow It
As its name suggests, corkscrew willow has twisted, curly branches and similarly curly leaves. The stems are an attractive feature in the garden or when cut and used in floral arrangements. It’s a quick-growing plant that tolerates a wide range of conditions, so it can be a good solution for trouble spots. While its curly branches are a fantastic winter feature, corkscrew willow’s interesting foliage makes a statement as well, especially in autumn when the leaves turn yellow.