Ever wish you had a massive estate with a weeping willow swaying by a pond, but you’re working with a standard backyard (or even just a balcony)? I get it! Most of us don’t have room for a giant tree, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on that classic willow vibe. Enter the Dappled Willow (often called the Harlequin Willow). When grown as a “standard”—which is just garden-speak for a tree form with a trunk—it gives you all that elegant, architectural beauty on a much smaller scale.
Flexible Planting – Versatile Uses
There’s a good reason why Dappled Willow standards are so popular right now. Originally cultivated in Japan, this ornamental willow lets you bring that “big tree energy” into even the tiniest garden. These plants are trained so that they sit on a sturdy, straight trunk with branches that fan out beautifully in every direction. Once the foliage fills in, you can prune it into a perfect round globe. The result? A chic little lollipop tree that looks like it belongs in a high-end botanical garden or a manicured Baroque estate.
The best part? You can easily grow a Dappled Willow standard in a large pot or container. This is a total game-changer because it means you can move it around whenever you want to change up your look. Plus, it’s perfect for patios or balconies. If you’re worried about it outgrowing your space, don’t be! These standards generally won’t grow any taller than the height they were when you bought them. This makes planning your outdoor decor super easy since you know exactly how much space you’re working with.
Grafting and Pruning Your Tree
Most of these little trees are created through a process called grafting, where the Dappled Willow is joined onto the trunk of a hardier willow species. Since grafting can be a bit tricky and the results can vary, I usually recommend buying a pre-grafted tree from a professional nursery if you want that perfect “tree look” right away.
To keep your willow looking like a tidy tree and not a wild bush, you’ll need to stay on top of pruning. I suggest a pretty radical “haircut” in early spring—this actually encourages the plant to push out that vibrant new growth we all love. Throughout the summer, you can just do some light “maintenance snips” to keep the shape tight. And don’t worry about the cold; overwintering these beauties is actually quite simple.
Here’s your quick pruning cheat sheet:
- Protect the graft: Never nick or damage the spot on the trunk where the willow was joined.
- Trim the stragglers: If a branch is shooting out way past the rest of the “globe,” snip it back to size.
- Clean it up: Remove any dead or dry wood right from the base of the crown.
- Fix the flow: Cut back any branches that are growing inward or crossing awkwardly.
- Keep the shape: Give it a light trim in the summer to maintain that nice, round silhouette.
