Contents
Spherical willow: planting and care
Due to its unusual appearance and easy care, spherical willow is often used in landscape design. Choose the right variety and take into account when growing some of the features of the tree, and it will become a decoration of the summer cottage.
Where does the spherical willow grow and what does it look like
Rakita, as this tree is also called, grows along the banks of reservoirs and in places with high humidity. A distinctive feature of this species is the shape of the crown, resembling a ball, while the lower part of the trunk remains bare. Narrow, elongated leaves, dark green above and gray below in summer, turn olive colors with a red or yellow tint by autumn.
All varieties of spherical willow grow well in wetlands
There are many varieties of such willow, but not all are used in landscape design. The most popular among designers are the following:
- Brittle. This variety grows up to 20 m in height, is frost-resistant, withstanding up to -45 ° C. Such trees grow rapidly, have a wide crown, and live up to 80 years. So that they do not lose their attractiveness, they should be cut annually, not allowing them to stretch above 2-3 m.
- Dwarf. This is a willow with small leaves and a winding, often branched trunk. The height of the bush does not exceed 3 m. The hat must be constantly shaped by pruning.
- Willow “Bulata”. The diameter of this tree reaches 5 m, the crown is dense, resembling a ball, the height is up to 15 m. Even after the leaves fall, it looks impressive thanks to the intertwining olive branches.
All varieties of willow are unpretentious, with the right planting site, they only require constant maintenance of the shape of the crown and regular watering.
The plant can multiply by seeds that form in the place of fluffy inflorescences. The disadvantage of this method is that the seed material most often falls off, not having time to ripen, and it is difficult to collect it. For planting, it is better to use seedlings grown from cuttings or purchased in a nursery. When breeding, adhere to the following rules:
- Choosing a place. Even a shaded area is suitable for a rakita, but good lighting is preferable. The tree can withstand drafts, is resistant to decay. When planting, be guided by aesthetic and functional considerations if you need to green wetlands or protect the banks of streams from soil leaching.
- The soil. A slightly acidic loam is best, and you can add a little sand to it.
- Landing time. Saplings take root well from April to October.
Add a little peat, sand, compost, nitrogen-containing fertilizers to the planting pits. Please note that the crown will grow, therefore the distance to neighboring trees should be sufficient.
This tree grows even in harsh climatic conditions and on any soil. Due to its spherical shape, it is well suited for creating bonsai-style compositions.