Everything You Need To Know about Tri-Color Dappled Willow Trees
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Willow trees have long been popular for their gracefully draped branches and elegant leaves that tremble and flutter in the breeze. Tri-color dappled willow bushes offer the same visual interest, but provide a show of color that changes throughout the year as well. You can plant these bushes as individual trees or together as a privacy screen, but they can be a little demanding. In this article, we’ll explain how to care for a tri-color dappled willow tree, where to plant them, and what their color hues are throughout the seasons.
Tri-Color Dappled Willow Trees at a Glance
Appearance
Dappled willow trees have branches that arch delicately, set off with oblong, narrow variegated leaves. Their colors change with the seasons. The leaves are pink-tinged in the spring and give way to whitish-green growth in summer, creating an elegant dappled appearance. Colors are brightest when the trees are planted in direct sunlight. Pruning encourages new growth with more vivid color.
In the fall, the leaves turn yellow and drop, revealing coral-red stems by winter. Dappled willows grow at a fast rate of 2–3 feet per year, achieving their maximum height of 8–10 feet in just a few seasons. Their maximum width is also 8–10 feet, giving them a nice rounded shape that works extremely well as a privacy hedge when planted in a row.
Tri-Color Dappled Willow Tree Specifications
|
Appearance |
Arching branches, variegated leaves that are pink in the spring and whitish-green in the summer. Stems are coral red in the winter. |
|
Height |
8–10 feet tall |
|
Hardiness Zones |
Zones 4–9 |
|
Type of tree |
Deciduous shrub |
|
Sunlight requirements |
Full sun to partial shade |
|
Soil composition |
Highly adaptable but prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to alkaline soil |
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where different plants are suited for their ideal growth. Tri-color dappled willow trees do best in Zones 4–9, excellent for gardens in the Midwest and North. You do not need to take any action to winterize your dappled willow tree.
Planting Tips
Plant your dappled willow tree in mid-to-late fall or early spring, when the air temperature is cool but the soil is warm. Plant them in a space where they won’t uproot sewer lines, septic tanks, or patios. Take the following steps to plant your try-color dappled willow shrub:
- Start by finding a location with full sun to partial shade—both will work, but full sun will yield more vibrant colors—and moist, well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole that’s twice the size of your tree’s root ball and 1 inch shallower than the root ball’s height.
- Place the dappled willow in the hole and backfill the hole with soil.
- Place a 3-inch layer of mulch around the tree in roughly a 2–3 foot radius.
Growing Conditions
Tri-color dappled willow trees are known for being low maintenance, highly adaptable to a wide range of soils, and able to grow in a range of full sunlight to partial shade. However, they must be kept moist in order to thrive.
Sun and Shade
Dappled willow trees prefer full sunlight, or at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. However, they can also grow in partial shade.
Soil
Dappled willow trees are not finicky when it comes to soil. They thrive in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to alkaline soils, but they can tolerate poor soil. Sandy soil and clay soil are less than ideal and will produce less robust growth and paler colors.
Watering
Dappled willow trees have high requirements for moisture. When they’re young, you’ll need to water them deeply twice a week. You should feel moisture in the soil at least 2 inches down. As the tree ages, you can water it less frequently, giving it 1 inch of water once every week.
Fertilizing
The best time to apply fertilizer is early in spring, before there is any new growth. Fertilization will help boost growth and the vibrancy of the foliage.
Pruning
Pruning tri-color dappled willow trees is not necessary, but dappled willows do respond well to it. Pruning can make the colors bolder, since it encourages new growth. You can cut up to 1/3 of its branches at a time without having a negative impact on the root system. Be sure to prune your tree in late winter.
Our Conclusion
Tri-color dappled willow trees are fast-growing shrubs. When planted in direct sunlight, their leaves turn from pink-tinged in spring to a white-green color in summer. Since dappled willow bushes require a lot of water in their first few years, we recommend you water them deeply two times per week. They have a large root system, so plant them in an area far from patios and septic tanks. You can plant them as individual trees, accenting your garden, or as hedges if you need some privacy in your yard.
FAQ About Tri-Color Dappled Willow Trees
Are tri-color dappled willow trees evergreen?
Tri-color dappled willow trees are deciduous, not evergreen.
How much sun do tri-color dappled willow trees need?
Tri-color dappled willow trees thrive in full sunlight, receiving at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. However, they can tolerate partial shade.
Do tri-color dappled willow trees have invasive roots?
Tri-color dappled willow trees are said to have invasive roots that can damage septic systems and patios.
Are tri-color dappled willow trees poisonous to dogs?
No, tri-color dappled willow trees are not toxic to dogs.
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