Плакучие ивы, печально склоняющие над водой свои beautiful branches, familiar to each of us. To date, more than 600 species of this elegant tree are known. However, in Russia you can find no more than two hundred varieties of willow. The most common species is shrubs. It is found in many regions of the country. Shrubs perfectly adapt to any weather conditions, surviving even under adverse conditions. Trees choose their own places of growth. Today the article will deal with weeping willow.
Willow of Babylon
Babylonian willow is considered one of the most beautifultrees, which are often chosen to decorate the parks of the south of Russia. The tree usually grows to a height of 12 meters. The trunk in diameter is large enough, it can be more than 1.5 meters. The crown gives a special beauty to the tree: thin branches, like jets of a waterfall, descend to the ground. Attractive and their color: reddish or green with golden tint. The homeland of the Babylonian willow is considered to be North China. Although, as biologists say, this species was also common in Central China.
Однако дерево с лёгкостью приспособилось к более severe Russian climate. Willow is not for nothing called a weeping one, not only because of branches lowered to the ground, resembling a mournfully inclined head, but also because this tree grows in damp valleys of rivers or in lowlands on the sands.
Description
Ива вавилонская — дерево, которое любит много sun, but not less than moisture. It is resistant to frost, but in severe winters it can be very freezing. When planting a tree, you should take into account the protection of the landing site from winter winds and frosts. It is better to choose those places where the tree will be maximally closed. The trunk, like the branches, is rather knobby. The older the tree becomes, the more powerful its knots become. Pollination occurs in April - May, when not only bees, but also other insects fly to the smell. The earrings of the willow are thin, with leaves at the very base.
Distinctive root system of the tree: it will grow until it finds a place from where it will be fully fed with the necessary moisture for full-fledged growth.
Planting in the garden
Willow of Babylon will be a beautiful decorationOnly for the park zone, but also for the garden or garden area. For seedlings, male willows are more suited: they favorably differ from female ones because during flowering on the earrings no bothersome fluff develops. You can plant willow even in northern areas. If the tree is still frostbitten, it will recover as quickly as possible. Willow of Babylon is good because it looks like a beautiful stretch of green tent.
By the way, under the branches of this tree you can arrange picnics, hiding from the intense heat in the warm season. What kind of variety among gardeners are in great demand, we will consider below.
Iva Tortuoza
Experienced gardeners will certainly recommend thisA variety of this tree, like the willow of Babylonian Tortuoza. Its description is not at all similar to the previous one. This is a shrub up to two meters high, with strongly twisted branches. Twisting branches have a golden appearance, which is very advantageous against the background of bright green foliage. This species of willow is very demanding for lighting, it needs a lot of sunlight and heat.
But the cold of Tortuos does not tolerate at all.Therefore, even in the warm season it is best to protect the willow from the wind. Tortuoza (Willow of Babylon) is very fond of watering. Thanks to the accumulation of water in the rhizome, it easily tolerates stagnation. In the northern parts of the country, Tortuoza can freeze to the level before which it is covered with snow. However, again, thanks to the root system, the shrub quickly regenerates.
Willow Crisp
Ещё один интересный сорт — ива вавилонская Криспа.Its description will be as follows: it is a small dwarf tree, which can grow no more than two meters in height. The special beauty of this variety lies in its leaves. They are dark green, very shiny and very similar to small flowers of a decorative home rose.
Кустарник также трепетно относится к холодам, но if it freezes, then, like the previous varieties, it is quickly restored. Yves Crisp is planted as a green barrage or decorative labyrinths. It is noteworthy that this variety was obtained by Russian gardeners only about 30 years ago. But for the time being, Crispa has gained wide popularity in the most beautiful park areas of our country.
Reproduction
Как рассаживается ива вавилонская?Reproduction occurs with the help of cuttings. Growing a willow is easy enough. This is the kind about which they say: stick to the ground, it will germinate. The only condition is a sufficient amount of moisture. You can also just put the shank in the water and wait for the first roots to appear.
It is important to leave at least 6-8 kidneys on the cuttings.Willow of Babylon (a photo of a tree can be seen in the article) quickly gets used to a new place. If the tree will look more beautiful near the water, then the shrub species are perfect for decorative decoration of the site.
Shrub willow branches will be woven withtime is stronger and stronger, forming a natural living and almost impassable fence. When planting several willows on the garden plot, it is important to remember that the distance between them should be large enough, otherwise the crowns of these magnificent trees will not be able to fully reveal themselves, showing all their natural beauty.
