If you want an undemanding and robust plant for your garden, you are well advised with a harlequin willow. The Japanese ornamental tree requires little attention when it comes to care, but on the other hand it attracts everyone's attention. In order to preserve longevity and a certain aesthetics, you should still consider the tips in the following guide.
The harlequin willow is a fairly undemanding ornamental plant
Important care measures
- pour
- Fertilize
- To cut
- wintering
- pest control
pouring behaviour
Keep the substrate of the harlequin willow constantly moist. The ornamental tree needs a high water supply. Especially if you have just planted your harlequin willow in the ground, you must water the plant regularly. However, if you give the plant too much water, this will result in brown shoot tips. If you adjust the amount of water to the species-appropriate amount, this characteristic regulates itself.
fertilizer application
Fertilize your harlequin pasture once a year. The right date is the time before new growth. Again, you should pay attention to a rather mild dosage. Depending on the state of growth, a second fertilization during the year is possible.
pruning
A pruning is essential when caring for the harlequin willow.
- They avoid complete naturalization
- The plant retains its attractive crown shape
- They prevent the branches from becoming woody
- The crown grows denser and bushier
The latter point is mainly carried out with a pruning in the spring. You must consider the following aspects when cutting the harlequin willow:
- No sun exposure
- No freeze
- Remove brown shoots and diseased branches
- It is better to cut the branches radically than too little
- Prune healthy branches by two-thirds of their length
- Thin out the crown
- Shape the crown to the desired shape
- Never cut into the grafted trunk
hibernate
A planted harlequin willow does not require frost protection. You should only cover the pot with a layer of mulch if you keep it in a bucket. It is not advisable to spend the winter indoors.
pest control
By regularly checking the leaves of the harlequin willow for symptoms of disease, you can prevent an infestation. As a rule, however, the plant is very robust against pests.