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Click for previous Image Image 1 of 4 Salix x Contorted Willow

Here 'Scarlet Curls' utilizing 6 trees is trained and pruned into an arch which is remarkable in all seasons.

Salix x 'Scarlet Curls'

Contorted Willow

Plant Type:

POND & WETLAND PLANTS

Salix x ‘Scarlet Curls’ – This is very like ‘Golden Curls’ except for this difference: the older wood is brassy gold while all the youngest wood turns crimson as the weather cools. We planted 3 and 3 across from each other and trained them into an A-framed arch. We stop pruning it in early August so that it has the chance to grow lots of new stems before the end of the growing season. When the yellow-tinted leaves drop, through the remainder of the autumn, all of the winter and part of the spring it looks like stylized fire! It is one of the garden elements most often commented upon by visitors. Some years the newest wood in winter is tawnier; other years it is bright red; regardless, it is always beautiful. If you don’t want the somewhat high maintenance hassle of an arch then we recommend using one or more as fascinating, wild-haired upright shrub / tree specimens - stunning at pond's edge. 'Scarlet Curls' may be judiciously pruned. But if stems are young and pliable we may be able to bend stems to fit the tallest box in which we ship. Established pot grown shrub from cutting.


Please scroll down to the Genus Overview for more information.


Height:

30-50 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Zone:

4 to 8
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Salix x 'Scarlet Curls'

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Contorted
  • Colored
  • Columnar Form

Light

  • Full Sun

Attributes

  • Specimen
  • Hedge
  • Alee
  • Marginal

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Rapid

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Moist

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Salix

Common Name: Willow

Salix. These are the willows, a large genus of woody plants. Some willows are small shrubs, others grow into huge trees and there are many bushy species which fall in between. All prefer sun planted in fertile moisture retaining soils; some are tolerant of quite wet feet. Many have quite attractive lanceolate leaves with silvery undersides that flash in summer breezes… I have often thought of these as the “poor man’s bamboo”. Some have contorted and beautifully colored bark which shines in the winter landscape. Many sport beautiful winter/spring catkins. Nearly all willows have utilitarian applications in fencing, rods, basket making. All are very prune-able; in fact, any of the larger shrubs depending upon how you desire to employ them will respond well to pruning and coppicing. When coppiced those with beautifully colored winter stems display many more of them. And as with ornamental shrub dogwoods younger stems exhibit the best, most intense winter tones. All ornamental characteristics will be presented according to species/cultivar. All of the following offerings are established pot grown shrubs from a cutting. We may prune back all larger growing selections prior to shipping so that you will not incur the extra handling charge.