Willow are huge water consumers and usually like to be located near a pond or river. They can withstand all but the most arid heat as long as they have water near their roots. If you have a low spot in your yard that would be the place for them. And yes they do get very large. I'd be willing to swap you a nice little Texas native redbud for one of your willows. Let me know if you're willing to part with one of them.

Incidentally, willows are notoriously easy to root. If you research them a little you'll find that our ancestors chewed willow bark for relief from headaches. This was because they contained salasylic (SP?) acid, which is the main ingredient in aspirin. I have used an aspirin in water to root other cuttings because of it's property to produce rooting. I had heard that putting an aspirin in the water would prolong the life of cut flowers, but when I put one in the jar with a dozen cut roses, the roses rooted.

Let me know if you're interested in a swap. The redbuds are still dormant right now and this is the best time to dig them up and move them. Cheryl

I have a friend who has what she calls a cork screw willow growing in the 'ell strip here in San Antonio. The stems are twisty and don't hang down much like a regular willow. I don't think it gets much water there. She trims it every year to keep it from getting very big. There are other big trees around so it doesn't get all day full hot sun.

I had a curly willow at my old house, and I loved it! It stood up to a tremendous amount of heat and sun, as long as it got some extra water. They do have invasive roots, so be sure to plant it well away from just about everything. Every spring one of my favorite chores was going out to clip all the little branches that didn't leaf out, to use in flower arrangements later. They don't weep like the regular willows, though they are very bendy. This does mean they're a little brittle, and they are relatively short-lived, like other willows. But they grow quickly.

All in all, nice little trees if you have an appropriate spot for them. I think they'll eventually get too big for a container, but hey, keep it a couple of years then bring it to a swap!

Your story brought back memories, Janie! My first curly willow came from a flower arrangement back in 1992. Like you, I was afraid to set it loose in the yard so grew it in a whiskey barrel for nearly 10 years, starting more trees from branches for friends and family in Illinois. We left the original willow behind when we moved to Texas.

In spring 2005 an IL friend gave me a couple of branches from the tree I'd started for her. One rooted and is doing fine in a large container here in NW Austin. I have it where any condensation from the roof drips into the pot.

Since this willow is a start from a start, could it be called a "grand-tree"?

Annie at the Transplantable Rose