With its striking foliage, the Dappled Willow (also known as the Hakuro Nishiki) is more than just a pretty face in the garden. The lush, vibrant growth of these beautiful shrubs can be pruned into all sorts of eye-catching shapes, but the classic “lollipop” globe is by far the fan favorite. Here’s everything you need to know to get that perfect look.
Pruning Your Dappled Willow Like a Pro
Once spring rolls around and the leaves start popping after winter dormancy, the Dappled Willow fills out fast. If you’re aiming for that perfectly manicured sphere, it’s best to get ahead of the spring growth spurt. The ideal time for your first major prune is late winter or early spring, just before the new buds break. And don’t be shy with the shears! A heavy hand actually encourages the plant to push out that vibrant new growth we all love.
Step-by-Step to the Perfect Globe:
- Snip off any diseased or weak branches right at the base.
- Shorten the remaining branches by about one-third.
- Make sure you don’t trim a branch back further than three “eyes” (buds).
- Never prune the main grafted trunk itself.
- When in doubt, trim a little more—heavy pruning actually fuels more vigorous growth!
Dappled Willows grown as a standard (that’s gardener-speak for a tree-like trunk) are the best candidates for a globe cut. A sturdy trunk topped with a perfectly round canopy brings a touch of classic European elegance to any backyard. Trust me, shaping these beauties is much easier than it looks!
Keeping Things Tidy All Season Long
A happy Dappled Willow is a fast grower, especially during the spring and summer. Keep an eye on your tree as the months go by. Whenever you notice “rebel” branches poking out of your perfect sphere, feel free to give them a quick trim. Keeping up with these touch-ups ensures your willow stays looking sharp and healthy.
In particularly warm years, you might find yourself reaching for the pruners as early as May or June. Just a heads-up: avoid any major shaping late in the fall. At that point, the plant needs to focus its energy on prepping for winter. Other than that, feel free to give your Dappled Willow a haircut whenever it starts looking a little shaggy!
