Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Country Or Region Of Origin
China, Japan, and Korea
Plant Profile: Salix babylonica var. tortuosa
Names
Corkscrew Willow
Phonetic Spelling:SAL-iks bab-il-LON-ik-uh tor-tew-OH-suh
Genus:Salix
Species:babylonica
Family:Salicaceae
This deciduous tree typically reaches heights of 20 to 40 feet and features a form that ranges from upright to rounded. Its contorted growth pattern becomes more pronounced with vigorous growth, making pollarding an effective technique to enhance this characteristic. The stems are suitable for use in both fresh and dried flower arrangements. The leaves are arranged alternately, measuring between 3 to 6 inches in length, with only a slight curve. While it grows rapidly, its lifespan is relatively short. Additionally, this tree shows mild resistance to deer damage.
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Feature Summary
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Image Gallery
Tags
#deciduous
#wildlife plant
#nectar plant
#specialized bees
#fast growing
#deer resistant
#pollinator plant
#larval host plant
#butterfly friendly
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly
#viceroy butterflies
Similar Plants
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Feature Summary
Attributes
China, Japan, and Korea
This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized 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.
This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Woody
Stem Cutting
Attracts Pollinators
Leaves
Leaves alternate, 3 - 6 inches long, only slightly recurved.
Deciduous
Green
Simple
Alternate
Lanceolate
3-6 inches
Stem
Contorted "corkscrew" stems whose effect is most evident in winter as leaves conceal the contorted branches. Can be cut and used in flower arrangements, either fresh or dried.
Gold/Yellow
Whole Plant Traits
Tree
Deciduous
Rounded
Erect
Rapid
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Moist
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
Flowers
Insignificant
Catkin
Landscape
Cutting Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Winter Garden
Asian Garden
Lawn
Naturalized Area
Small Space
Butterflies
Pollinators
Specialized Bees
Short-lived
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Image Gallery
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Attributes
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Wildlife Value
This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized 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 var. tortuosa: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Leaves
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Leaf Description
Leaves alternate, 3 - 6 inches long, only slightly recurved.
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Leaf Color
Green
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Stem
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Stem Description
Contorted "corkscrew" stems whose effect is most evident in winter as leaves conceal the contorted branches. Can be cut and used in flower arrangements, either fresh or dried.
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Stem Color
Gold/Yellow
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Whole Plant Traits
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Cultural Conditions
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Flowers
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Flower Color
Insignificant
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa Landscape
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: 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 var. tortuosa: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Salix babylonica var. tortuosa: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
