Willows belong to the willow genus and the willow family. They are native, hardy, hardy plants that grow as either large shrubs or small trees. They are well suited for the design of natural hedges.
The willow tolerates pruning and can therefore be trained well as a hedge
Willow willow is a fast-growing shrub that thrives in sun or partial shade and in almost any soil. The natural distribution ranges from northern Scandinavia to eastern Asia. In this country, the willow is valued as a food source for bees, particularly because of its early flowering. As a hedge plant, the willow is a good choice due to its fast growth and tolerance to cutting.
Plant a willow hedge
In good conditions, the willow grows about 50-80 cm a year. The mature shrub can reach 10 meters in height and 3-4 meters in width. Since such dimensions are usually not desired for the hedge, you should promote branching in the desired places from the start through the targeted cut. The following planting instructions should also be observed:
- Planting time: from March, earlier possible in frost-free locations
- Planting distance between individual plants: about one meter,
- Plant pruning: immediately after planting for better branching.
The care of the willow hedge
The willows tolerate pruning. It is recommended to cut back the willow very heavily immediately after flowering so that only short stubs remain. The willow sprout within a few weeks and will also flower lushly next spring. If you cut the bushes in July with hedge trimmers (77.00 €) from the side and from above, the hedge will be denser.
Fertilize in the first two years after planting, then only when the leaves turn yellow. In April and July, distribute about 50 g/meter of complete fertilizer and rake it in. The soil under the shrubs is best covered with bark mulch or similar, which protects the root area from drying out and from weeds.
tips
In forestry, the willows are also used as the so-called pioneer plants, which are used as the first trees and shrubs for greening raw soil and settling on fallow land.