Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Thursday - July 22, 2010
From: Downey, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native hybrid willows dropping leaves in Downey CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have 1 year old Hybrid Willows that are strong and 12 feet tall, with many branches. All of a sudden they are dropping their leaves in July. I got them for fast growing shade, now the branches are almost bare. Are they ok? Are they dying? Is there anything I can do? I swore they looked healthy. Thanks,ANSWER:
We were not sure what exactly a "hybrid willow" is, but most willows are natives of the Far East, and many of them are hybrids of non-native willows. This means they fall out of our range of expertise, which is the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plants are being grown.
When we searched the Internet for sources of information we found the iVillage Gardenweb on Hybrid Willows. This is a forum but you might be interested in what some of the participants have to say about the willow. Also, please read this eHow site on Information on Hybrid Willows.
Frankly, we don't like the non-native willows or hybrids of same, not just because they are non-native but because they are invasive and susceptible to many pests and diseases. They grow fast but are short-lived.
Images of Hybrid Willows from Google.
More Non-Natives Questions
Weed prevention in vegetable gardens
September 26, 2007 - Mr.Smarty Plants - I know this isn't your area, but we have a vegetable garden that has been plagued by summertime weeds. Do you have a recommendation for a control plan we could implement during t...
view the full question and answer
Care for some non-native salvias from Austin
November 12, 2012 - Mexican bush sage and Salvia "indigo spires" are both blooming in my Austin beds right now. Once they stop blooming and/or frost gets them, could you tell me by how much they should be cut back? R...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native weeping willow
September 20, 2008 - My weeping willow has black holish cracks in it. It is a yearling. Any suggestions? ...
view the full question and answer
Cold hardy non-native fig tree for Dallas
July 04, 2008 - Do you know the best cold hardy fig tree that will grow and fruit in Dallas, Texas?
view the full question and answer
Seeds for invasive, non-native Erodium cicutarium
February 05, 2008 - I rec'd the following e-mail from a friend in he Chicago area. I looked for about an hour and couldn't find a place to get weed seeds. She thinks we are in the desert here and apparently are so rura...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
