Plant Profile: Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls'

Names

Hankow Willow, Pekin Willow

  • Photo of Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' (Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls's)

Phonetic Spelling:SAL-iks bab-il-LON-ik-uh

Genus:Salix

Species:babylonica

Family:Salicaceae

This willow exhibits a robust, rounded growth habit and serves as a striking ornamental tree, characterized by its golden-brown, wavy branches, contorted twigs, and uniquely shaped leaves.

Known as 'Scarlet Curls,' this deciduous ornamental tree showcases vibrant red young wood, which transitions to a stunning golden yellow as the branches mature. Its spiraling scarlet stems grow upward, making it an excellent choice for smaller landscapes due to its fast growth and compact size. However, it's important to note that the roots of 'Scarlet Curls' Willow can be invasive.

The most vivid display of color occurs after the first frost, when the scarlet hues reach their peak intensity. This tree not only adds remarkable winter interest but also makes for beautiful cut flower arrangements, whether displayed alone in vases or dried.

As a medium-sized variant of the Corkscrew Willow, it can be utilized as a focal point in gardens, alongside ponds or streams, or positioned at the rear of a property. It thrives in full sun, ideally requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, and prefers moist, average soil. Fortunately, this willow adapts well to various soil types, eliminating the need for pH testing or amendments. Additionally, it shows mild resistance to deer damage and is drought-tolerant.

For further details on Salix babylonica, please refer to additional resources.

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Feature Summary

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Image Gallery

Tags

#deciduous
#drought tolerant
#specimen
#wildlife plant
#nectar plant
#stream banks
#pond margins
#specialized bees
#fast growing
#deer resistant
#pollinator plant
#deciduous tree
#bee friendly

Similar Plants

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Feature Summary

Attributes
Members of the Salix genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana. ​​​​​​​
Leaves
Alternate, simple leaves are somewhat curled
Gold/Yellow
Lanceolate
Stem
It produces red, young wood, and as the branches age, the red changes to an eye-catching golden yellow. Its twisted scarlet red stems spiral upwards.
Red/Burgundy
Gold/Yellow
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
Moist
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Flowers
Landscape
Water Garden
Pollinators
Specialized Bees

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Attributes

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Wildlife Value

Members of the Salix genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana. ​​​​​​​

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Leaves

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Leaf Description

Alternate, simple leaves are somewhat curled

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Leaf Color

spa
Gold/Yellow

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Hairs Present

No
Yes

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Stem

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Stem Description

It produces red, young wood, and as the branches age, the red changes to an eye-catching golden yellow. Its twisted scarlet red stems spiral upwards.

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Stem Color

grass
Gold/Yellow
grass
Red/Burgundy

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Whole Plant Traits

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Cultural Conditions

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Flowers

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Flower Color

filter_vintage
Insignificant

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls' Landscape

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Salix babylonica 'Scarlet Curls': Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees