Besides the aromatic and beautiful lilac tree, the Dappled Willow is my next favorite outdoor bush. It was the first type of plant I’ve ever bought, planted and watched grow.
The Dappled Willow is the plant of your yard’s wet spot dreams, also known as Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ Dappled Willow. It’s a garden treasure, and few plants can match the allure and practicality of the Dapple Willow.
I love it because it’s flowy and big (over 8 feet tall AND 8 feet wide) and beautiful while providing shade for the dogs and privacy from our neighbors (see main picture above where we can’t see any of our neighbors beyond our property).
This charming shrub is a testament to nature’s artistry, blending aesthetic appeal with functional benefits, making it a favored choice for gardens, particularly in moist environments.
I will go over the basics for the Dappled Willow including:
- Size & Growth
- Flowering & Appearance
- Practical Uses
- Transplanting to Another area
- Pruning & Propagate With Cuttings
- Seasonal Changes
- Safety Issues for Animals and Wildlife
- Overall Pros & Cons
In addition, I’ve included a section below on “How to Propagate the Dappled Willow” with step-by-step instructions at the end of this article.
Dappled Willow Complete Guide
Size and Growth
These are pictures from DAY 1 when we got them in September of 2019. They were only about 3 – 4 feet tall (my niece was about 5 yrs old here for reference).
This is what they looked like in the backyard freshly planted.
The Dappled Willow grows FAST and BIG! It is admired not only for its ornamental foliage but also for its large yet manageable size.
Typically, it reaches a height of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) tall, with a similar spread, making it ideal for both large and smaller garden spaces.
And when I say it GROWS FAST, I mean when we bought it at our local Stein’s Garden, it was about 2-3 feet tall with very thinned-out branches. By the next year, it had grown up and out over 6 ft tall already. By year 3 it was almost 8 feet tall and wide. I had no idea how fast it would grow or how big!
Its graceful arching branches add a whimsical touch to any landscape.
Flowering and Appearance
One of the Dappled Willow’s most captivating features is its variegated foliage. The leaves are a delightful blend of pink, cream, and green, creating a dappled effect that lends the plant its name.
In late spring to early summer, tiny inconspicuous flowers bloom, followed by slender, silver-gray catkins that add to its visual interest. See more below about how it looks during each season.
Practical Uses
This is a great yard addition for privacy, wildlife & yard erosion control.
- Privacy Screen: Due to its dense growth and arching branches, the Dapple Willow is excellent for creating privacy screens or natural fencing.
- Wildlife Habitat: The shrub attracts birds and pollinators, contributing to biodiversity in your garden.
- Erosion Control: Its robust root system helps prevent soil erosion, making it suitable for areas prone to water runoff.
Transplanting to Another Area
Transplanting a Dappled Willow is straightforward, preferably done during the plant’s dormant season in late fall or early spring.
We had three (3) Dappled Willows planted in the backyard as per the other pictures in the beginning of this article, however one of them was blocking our new gazebo area so I wanted to replant it to the front yard.
We simply dug around the roots (which had grown out quite a bit, about a good 4 square foot area and about 2 feet down. We were careful about keeping the roots intact as much as possible.
Be sure the new location offers similar moisture conditions and soil pH to promote successful establishment. I also took a bunch of the dirt from the spot so that it had the same nutrients while it got accustomed to its new dirt location.
The transplanted one is pictured above and below on the left for comparison. We’re hoping next year it will grow as big as the others.
As you can see, the number 1 plant for some reason didn’t grow to the same height or fullness as the others, and that is perhaps because when it was transplanted I did not add additional fertilizer to help it grow in its new spot.
Pruning and Propagation
- Pruning: Use a pruner or pruning shears to prune the Dappled Willow in late winter to early spring to maintain its shape and encourage vigorous growth. Remove dead or crossing branches to enhance airflow and prevent disease.
- Propagation: Propagate the Dappled Willow through softwood cuttings taken in early summer. These cuttings root easily in moist soil or water, allowing you to expand your garden or share with friends. Check out below a step by step instructions on “How to Propagate a Dappled Willow“
Gardening Tools You May Need:
Seasonal Changes
The Dappled Willow undergoes striking transformations throughout the year:
- Spring: New leaves emerge with their vibrant variegation, accompanied by delicate pink blooms.
- Summer: Foliage matures, providing a lush backdrop in the garden.
- Fall: Leaves may turn yellow before dropping, offering a brief but stunning display of autumn colors.
- Winter: The bare branches create an architectural interest, especially in snowy landscapes.
Safety Issues for Animals and Wildlife
Dappled Willow is generally safe for pets and wildlife.
However, it’s advisable to prevent excessive ingestion by pets due to the presence of salicylic acid derivatives, which can cause stomach upset in large quantities.
Our dogs do not nibble on these bushes at all but they love to lay under them because of all the shade they provide from the hot summer sun.
Dappled Willow Pros and Cons
While I haven’t experienced any of the cons, here are some that I found in my research that may or may not be something to consider for your region.
Pros:
- Ornamental variegated foliage year-round
- Fast growth
- Adaptable to various soil types, especially wet areas
- Low maintenance once established
- Provides privacy and habitat for wildlife
Cons:
- Can be invasive in certain regions with ideal growing conditions
- Regular pruning needed to maintain a preferred shape and prevent overgrowth
- Susceptible to pests like aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew in humid climates
How To Propagate Dappled Willow Bush
It is so easy to propagate a Dappled Willow bush! What is propagate? Propagate is basically cutting fresh new branches and getting them to root to create brand new plants!
Propagate: the cutting or transferring a piece of a mature plant into water or soil and letting it grow a new root system.
Follow the steps for one of these methods to make a bunch more, even through winter!
Method #1: Propagate with Soil
- STEP 1: Cut 7-8″ new red stems from a larger branch at the base
- STEP 2: Stick stems into a plant pot filled with potting soil
- STEP 3: Add water to keep soil moist, but not drowning
- STEP 4: Put your container in the sunlight
- STEP 5: New plant should root in about 2 weeks & ready to plant into the ground!
Method #2: Propagate in Water
- STEP 1: Cut 7-8″ new red stems from a larger branch at the base
- STEP 2: Stick stems into a glass vase (or propagation planter) filled with water 1 inch high up stems
- STEP 3: Put your container in the sunlight
- STEP 4: New plant should root in about 2 weeks & ready to plant into the ground!
The Dapple Willow stands as a testament to both beauty and practicality in garden landscaping. Whether you seek a vibrant focal point, a natural privacy screen, or a haven for wildlife, this versatile shrub offers a wealth of benefits to enhance your outdoor space year-round.
~~ And as always friends, take care, be kind to yourself and others, and always keep learning to be better and do better.
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