"Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a willow tree that originates in China. Now, it grows widely around the globe due to being traded on the Silk Road. This tree is planted ornamentally in parks and gardens.

Tips from Garden Coaches

Popular in both the home garden and in urban settings, the weeping willow is an elegant, fast-grower with a number of different uses.
More

Attract Birds

Weeping willow have an important relationship with many different wild birds. They provide them shelter and food, while the catkins they produce are an important nesting material. Some bird species eat the buds, while others make nests inside the tree cavities. Some types of birds also visit weeping willow to feed on insects, especially caterpillars. The most common species associated with these trees are kinglets, woodpeckers, warblers, tits, and many types of songbirds.

Poems


Adieu, adieu, kind friends, adieu, adieu, adieu!
I can no longer stay with you, stay with you,
I'll hang my harp on a weeping willow tree,
And may the world go well with thee.
— Anonymous
Download

Name Story

Weeping willow
Salix plants are called willow. In order to distinguish each species, they are given different names according to their characteristics. This plant has a history of thousands of years and its biggest feature is its drooping branches. Hence, it is called a weeping willow. Also for its unique branches, it has been introduced into various countries.


Symbolism

Love, Divination, Protection

Uses
Garden Use
Weeping willow is most commonly used as an ornamental in parks and gardens because of its beautiful, drooping foliage. In open areas, it is deployed as a windbreak tree. It can also be used to help mitigate erosion by wind and rain. Perennial ground covers like Creeping myrtle or Carpet bugle can be planted around the base of a weeping willow.
Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree

Lifespan
Perennial

Bloom Time
Spring

Plant Height
12 m to 18 m
Spread
9 m to 15 m
Flower Size
Male inflorescence 1.5 cm to 3 cm
Habitat
Woodland Garden Canopy
Flower Color
Yellow
Leaf Color
GreenGraySilver
Stem Color
RedBrown

Conditions Requirement


Sunlight
Full sun

Care Guide


Water
Drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.


Fertilization
Fertilization once every half month during the growing season.


Pruning
Trim the dead, diseased, overgrown branches in winter.


Planting Time
Early spring, Mid spring


Harvest Time
Spring, summer


Propagation
Sowing, Cutting, Grafting"