Scientific Name: Salix babylonica var. pekinensis
Common Name: corkscrew willow
Family Name: Salicaceae
Origin: Garden origin, S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Zone: Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Plant Type: Tree - deciduous
Mature Size: 10 - 15m x 7 - 10m (height x width)
Habit: Arching, Dense, Irregular, Spreading
Form: Round
Texture: Medium - fine
Landscape Uses: Accent plant, Aquatic - ponds, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Fall interest, Screening, Shade tree, Small garden/space, Specimen plant, Tall background, Woodland margin
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil or Media: Well-drained
Leaves: Simple, Alternate, Soft flexible, Glabrous, Lanceolate, Serrulate
Flowers: Catkin (ament), Yellow, Apr-May
Fruit: Capsule, Brown, Jul-Aug
Key ID Features:
Weeping (S. 'Pendula') or upright (S. 'Tortuosa'); leaves twisted, narrowly lanceolate, most blades 8-13cm long x 1-1.4cm wide; finely toothed, bright green/gray-green beneath; catkins appear before leaves, yellow-green, 2-3cm long. Winter ID: buds appressed, new growth buds almost black with red base.