The willow family has the botanical name Salix, and there are now many different varieties. These magnificent trees can be used individually in the garden and easily propagated on your own. Willow cuttings form new roots within a short time, and after planting these trees sprout again quickly. To encourage root formation, the cuttings should stand in a container of water for some time after they have been cut.
Table of Contents
Multiply
Willows are pioneering plants and place only minimal demands on the environment, the substrate and the site conditions. The reproduction takes place vegetatively, i.e. asexually, no other willow tree is required for it. Longer shoots also take root quickly and can be planted with success.
- Propagation from parts of the mother plant possible
- Stick swings are possible
- Alternatively, branches and cuttings can also be used
- Cut back the wood after flowering to encourage branching
Cut cuttings
In order to propagate pastures, one or more branches must first be cut from an existing tree. The length of the willow branches required depends on the desired use of the cuttings. New and completely intact trees can be grown from most willow branches. However, the cut branch should already have barked off. When cutting, make sure that you only use very sharp garden tools so as not to crush the pathways of the plant. With a blunt secateurs, injuries can quickly occur, from which the wood only suffers unnecessarily.
- Cut cuttings from June to July
- Choose a woody branch, it should no longer be green
- Always cut at an angle from the mother plant
- Use a sharp knife to cut the twigs
- Disinfect cutting tools sufficiently beforehand
- Cuttings 20-30 cm in length are sufficient for hedges
- Create cuttings of 50-80 cm for high stems
Rooting
For quick and successful rooting, it is advisable to place the cut willow branches in the water before planting. There the cuttings can develop several fine and white water roots after two to three weeks at the latest. With this method, the process and its development can be easily followed. Alternatively, the cut willow branches can also be planted as cuttings in the desired location in the garden immediately after they have been cut. However, it must be ensured that the soil is always kept moist enough to guarantee successful root formation.
- Place severed twigs in containers with water
- The cut surface must point downwards
- Change the water every few days
- In the foreseeable future, small roots will begin to grow
- If the roots are large enough, willow cuttings are ready to be planted
- Alternatively, stick freshly cut branches individually
- A partially shaded location is ideal
- Water sufficiently in dry weather conditions
- However, avoid waterlogging at all costs, which leads to root rot
Plant cuttings
Willows are easy-care pioneer trees that are relatively robust. These are undemanding compared to the plant substrate, but always require an adequate supply of water. The trees form strong and well-branched root systems, which is why they are ideal as hedge bridges and for fastening slopes. In addition, the strongly branched roots can also strengthen the soil as bank planting. In this way, garden ponds and rivers can be secured in the home garden.
- Thoroughly loosen the soil before planting
- Enrich with a little humus-rich potting soil beforehand
- Plant willow cuttings directly in the ground
- Always ensure there is sufficient moisture
- New shoots form after a few weeks
sorts
Due to the willow’s high vigor, propagation can be carried out with cuttings with most varieties. However, the space available in your own garden should always be taken into account, as some varieties can grow into trees with a height of up to 30 m. However, most representatives of this genus remain relatively small, with a manageable growth. The preferred locations of these attractive trees include alluvial forests, moorlands and rivers or streams. That is why the willows in the home garden are also dependent on sufficient moisture in the soil.
- White willow, botanically: Salix alba
- Salweide, botanisch: Salix caprea
- Wicker or hemp willow, botanically: Salix viminalis
- Harlequin willow, botanically: Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’, originating from Asia
Conclusion
Willows are hardy woody plants that can be propagated without great effort. All you need is the willow cuttings, which develop roots after a short time. These can either be grown in the water beforehand or planted permanently in the ground. Thanks to the many possible uses, the fast-growing plants can serve many purposes in the garden.
