Common Name: Curly Willow, Corkscrew Willow, Dragon’s Claw Willow
Family: Salicaceae
Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
Native Range: Northern China and Korea
Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Height: 20–40 feet
Spread: 15–30 feet
Bloom Time: Early spring (inconspicuous catkins)
Bloom Description: Small, greenish-yellow catkins appearing before or with the leaves
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Water Needs: Medium to high
Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates a wide range of soils including clay
Maintenance Level: Medium to high
Suggested Use: Specimen tree, ornamental accent, cut branches for floral arrangements
Attracts: Birds, some pollinators
Tolerates: Wet soils, periodic flooding, clay, urban conditions
Notable Features: Striking twisted branches and contorted leaves, fast-growing, good for winter interest
Nebraska Growing Notes:
Curly Willow is a fast-growing, ornamental willow tree that thrives in moist soils and full sun, making it suitable for wetter areas of Nebraska landscapes. Its twisted branches and leaves add unique texture and winter interest, and its stems are often cut for decorative use indoors.
While adaptable to Nebraska’s clay soils and periodic drought, it performs best with consistent moisture and can tolerate wet sites where few other trees thrive. It is often planted as a specimen tree or in informal landscapes.
Because it is a fast-growing willow, it has a shorter lifespan (20–30 years) and can develop weak wood, making it prone to storm damage in exposed areas.
Landscape Use:
Best used as a specimen tree, ornamental focal point, or in moist, informal plantings. Can also be grown and coppiced for use as cut branches. Pairs well with Cornus sericea, Physocarpus, Salix discolor, and wetland perennials.
Caution:
Roots can be aggressive and may interfere with sewer lines or foundations, avoid planting near buildings or underground utilities. Short-lived and prone to breakage in storms. Susceptible to pests and diseases common to willows, such as aphids and cankers.
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