Friday, September 30, 2011

Curly Leaved Willow, no REALLY curly!

So you all probably know what they call the corkscrew Willow - Salix tortuosa.  Florists use it as interesting filler or as dried branches because the branches are sort of curly.  A few years ago at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona I noticed a weeping tree with curly LEAVES!  There were several of them and they were about 40 feet tall.  I've always loved curly things(maybe because I have straight hair.)  The leaves were each curled around and so pretty!  I know that sometimes curled leaves mean bugs inside.  But this is not like that!









 I took a few cuttings.   I understand that September is not that good a time to try to root cuttings of a plant that is going to lose it's leaves soon.  But that is the only time I was at Fairplex!    They did not root :-(   I had even emailed them in the Spring to see if I could go and take cuttings then with no reply. I don't think they care.  2 years ago I took more cuttings when I was at the fair volunteering.  They rooted!
 Yay! Yesterday we went to the FAIR and visited my tree or my "baby mama". 

  
Fairplex in Pomona has been around since the 1930's so who knows when these trees were planted.  I did notice yesterday that 2 or so of the trees are gone because they took down some buildings :-(   So there is only one left.  


These are my 2 baby trees.  I rooted 3 cuttings and gave one to a friend.  It is such a precious plant to me and I don't even know the name!  I have searched the internet endlessly and can only find "tortuosa" which this is NOT!  If you know the name, please share!   I love my Curly Leaved Willows.  Now I just have to figure out where to plant them in my new garden.  I'll probably just plant one in the ground and keep one in a pot for just in case :-)   Happy gardening!  
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11 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    I started rooting these also at my nursery and can't identify them either. I was wondering if you have had any luck since your post.
    Tina @ Arborfield Nursery

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    Replies
    1. AprilleFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:59 PM

      Hi Tina. No I haven't been able to ID it. Good luck! It's a beautiful tree. Now I just have to commit to a spot in the ground to plant it!

      Delete
  2. Elgin_houseApril 1, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    I found what I think is the same plant growing at Festival Hill in Round Top, TX. When I tried to ID it online, the best clue I found was something called Salix alba 'Curly Locks' (http://www.pendulousplants.com/Other%20stuff/salix%20curly%20locks%20leafTN.jpg). The leaves look shorter than on the FH tree, but the curliness is the same. It's good to know they can be rooted, because I've been craving that tree ever since!

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  3. gardencatNovember 15, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Hello . . . hope you are still seeing posts to this page. I'm wondering if it would be okay for me to use one of your photos (the 2nd on this page) on a website that I maintain for a small nursery in Texas (bluebonnethouse.net). She sells corkscrew willows but I wasn't able to get a good picture of her plants. I'll be happy to give you a photo credit.

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    Replies
    1. AprilleNovember 15, 2013 at 10:59 AM

      Sure gardencat you may use my photos.
      Unfortunately both my trees scorched and died this summer. I am devastated :-(

      Delete
    2. gardencatNovember 15, 2013 at 12:16 PM

      Thanks, Aprille. Sorry to hear that you lost your trees. That doesn't bode well for any that are down here in h*ll . . . I mean Tx.

      Delete
  4. AprilleNovember 15, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 5, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    This is a little late, but your willows are (were!) Salix babylonica 'Crispa'.

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    Replies
    1. AprilleOctober 5, 2014 at 9:28 PM

      Thanks so much! Maybe I can find another :-)

      Delete
  6. RBJuly 28, 2020 at 1:25 PM

    I bought this tree from a farmer market here in Canada zone 4, I wonder if it will survive in cold weather. Luckily, I found your site, no one was able to find out which tree this is.

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  7. AnonymousAugust 10, 2024 at 6:40 AM

    I just saw 2 of these lovely trees in my neighbourhood. Canada zone 6. They were about 15' and looked very healthy. Came home to search online for identification with no luck until I found this site. I'll look for Salix 'Crispa' at my local nursery. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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