Plant Library

Description:

A popular accent tree featuring gnarled, twisted orange-red branches, superb for creating winter interest in the home landscape; upright spreading habit, tends to shed branchlets; use as a solitary for maximum effect

Ornamental Features

Scarlet Curls Willow is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The twisted narrow leaves turn yellow in fall. The twisted bark and red branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Scarlet Curls Willow is a dense deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Invasive

Scarlet Curls Willow is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Scarlet Curls Willow will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.