The dappled willow is extremely popular due to its compact shape and unique leaf coloration. To maintain its appearance, you should prune it regularly.
Historically, harlequins with their colorful costumes entertained nobles and their guests – and colorful, too, is the foliage of the dappled willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’) – a variety of the East Asian Salix integra. The young leaves at the shoot tips are tinged pink when they first emerge, making the willow appear as though it’s in bloom. To ensure this vibrant color display remains strong, you should prune your dappled willow regularly.
The sunnier the plant’s location, the more intense the leaf coloration. In addition to its white-pink marbled and medium green variegated leaves that develop later in the year, the dappled willow has another special feature: its leaf arrangement. Unlike other willows, the leaves of Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ grow in whorls or in opposite pairs along the branches.
The plant grows relatively slowly for a willow—about 30 centimeters per year—but is fortunately very tolerant of pruning. Without regular pruning, it quickly becomes overgrown and loses much of its beautiful foliage coloration. You’ll notice more shoots bearing plain green leaves. Also, without regular trimming, its attractive, compact crown loses its shape.
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How to Prune a Dappled Willow
If you cut back your dappled willow hard each year, it will produce many new shoots with colorful foliage.
In February, simply cut all the previous year’s shoots back to short stubs.
If the crown is very dense, you should remove some entire branches or twigs completely.
You can do a light trim again up to St. John’s Day (June 24th) to encourage a colorful second flush of growth—this can also be done as a shaping cut with hedge shears.
When Is the Best Time to Prune a Dappled Willow?
The best time to prune your dappled willow is mid to late February, once persistent frost is no longer expected. Check the weather forecast before pruning, as frost can damage freshly cut shoots.
If you want a particularly dense and compact crown, you can prune the willow once or twice more during summer, ideally with a small hedge trimmer.
The Dappled Willow as a Standard Tree
If you didn’t buy your willow already trained as a standard tree, you can train it yourself:
Cut back all shoots except for one straight central stem and remove all side branches from it.
To maintain the standard tree form, continue removing any new side shoots from the trunk regularly.
Pruning Dappled Willows as Shrubs or Shaped Topiary
The dappled willow is also suitable for other growth forms, including as a shaped topiary.
When pruning a shrub, remove dead, competing, or crossing branches directly at the base.
To promote a rounded and compact growth, you can cut back up to two-thirds of the shoot length in late winter each year – or even more if needed.
If the crown of your standard willow becomes too dense with age, thin it by removing entire branches rather than leaving stubs.
For topiary pruning, shape the willow to the desired size in spring, usually after its third year in the garden. Then trim the new shoots gradually to maintain the intended form.
Beginners may find it helpful to use a template for accurate shaping.
A lighter shaping cut in early summer before St. John’s Day encourages a second flush of colorful growth. You can also use hedge shears for this cut.
Can You Rejuvenate a Dappled Willow?
If your dappled willow is completely out of shape or overgrown, you can rejuvenate it by cutting it back hard.
This means trimming all branches and twigs to about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) above the ground or trunk.
The best time for this is late winter or early spring.
Care Tips for a Dappled Willow
These plants are generally hardy, but in harsh locations, they appreciate a winter cover of leaves and brushwood over the root area during their first two years.
If the willow is grown in a container, it should be wrapped in fleece over winter to prevent the root ball from freezing and thawing repeatedly.
With this protection, the plant can overwinter outdoors in the garden, especially if placed near the house.
Dappled willows prefer sunny to partially shaded locations but should be sheltered from direct midday sun if possible.
The soil should be rich in humus and never too dry, as leaf scorch can occur in full sun if moisture is lacking.
