Wind a willow

In Nova Scotia it is the Salix discolour, more commonly known as the pussy willow that we see along the roadside and are familiar with from childhood. Through the Annapolis Valley, the draping beauty of ancient weeping willows catches the eye. As residents become more educated about the various cultivars in this family (approximately 120 different Salix grow in North America) expect to see more unusual-looking specimens sprouting up in gardens.

Some willows can be pruned to produce a mass of colourful rods for the winter. S. alba Britzensis shoots out four-foot long wands that turn a glowing red-orange in colder weather if cut back in the spring. S. koriyanagi Rubykins grows long, flexible rods that are used extensively in Japan for fine basketry. S. babylonica var. pekinensis has the common name of curly or corkscrew willow, indicative of its contorted new growth, which is a beautiful reddish-gold. This tree grows in full sun to part shade to a height of 15-20 feet.

As with all types of trees and shrubs, you should research growth habits and use your common sense when planting. Willows are reknowned for their ability to grow near water. That means they can have a tendency to seek out septic systems. It’s important to keep larger willow cultivars away from foundations and drainage fields.

One of the current trends in home and garden decor is rustic (twig) furniture, bent willow chairs, and garden structures such as trellises, gates, arbors and fences.

What makes these especially interesting is that because of the flexibility of this plant’s long branches, some of these structures can be made with living plants rooted in the ground.

In Europe living walls of willow are grown as sound barriers alongside highways, absorbing both noise and pollution.

Jon Warnes has a fascinating book on the topic - Living Willow Sculpture. He describes the planting, weaving, and pruning of willow along with instructions on making wigwams, domes, fences, tunnels, chairs, arbours and bowers. Included is a gallery of projects from assorted willow workers that is bound to spark your own creativity.