You are certainly familiar with the nostalgic weeping willow. And you can also do something with the term pollarded willow. But did you know that small species also exist? Some willow species grow as a shrub and are therefore ideal for keeping in tubs. Get to know the most important willow species on this page.

The white willow has silvery leaf undersides

How many willow species are there?

It is estimated that around 450 different willow species exist. The distribution area extends over the entire northern hemisphere. Deciduous trees have even established themselves near the Arctic or in the warm tropics.

Willow species occurring in Germany

In Germany alone there are many different willow species, some of which grow in the wild or are cultivated in your own garden. The most well-known include:

  • the silver willow
  • the willow
  • the harlequin willow
  • the wicker
  • and the weeping willow

Different characteristics of different willow species

The different willow species differ most obviously in their growth height. Some species reach a remarkable height of 30 meters, while others remain very close to the ground at a tiny 3 centimeters. However, you can also use other characteristics to differentiate between them. Just take a look at the leaves.

  • Rosemary Willow: filiform and narrow
  • Ears willow: pale green and wrinkled
  • Engadin willow: silky hairy and ovate

The bark of some willow species is also striking.

  • weeping willow: yellowish
  • auricles willow: grey-brown
  • Purple willow: red

The weeping willow is one of the best-known willow species because of its long, drooping branches. The corkscrew willow looks just as beautiful, the branches of which wind in a spiral.

ornamental plants

In addition, willows form so-called hybrids. These arise from the hybridization of different species. Furthermore, gardeners try to optimize the properties of the deciduous tree by breeding. Some examples are

  • the corkscrew willow
  • the real Chinese weeping willow
  • or the harlequin willow

The right size for every garden

Huge weeping willows often exceed the space available in a garden. Fortunately, numerous short-growing varieties also exist:

  • Alps pasture
  • ear willow
  • Arctic pasture
  • Short-tooth willow
  • Ash willow/ gray willow
  • pike willow
  • Ruch willow
  • Bare willow
  • silk willow
  • Silky Willow
  • Hochtal Weide
  • spit willow
  • weed willow
  • Swiss pasture
  • wool willow
  • downy willow
  • Lapland pasture
  • blueberry pasture
  • netting
  • creeper
  • arctic willow
  • sapling willow
  • pale willow
  • Marshleaf Willow
  • willow

Category:

Trees