Spiraea
The willows are usually associated with the wide sweep of water meadows and the slow restful stillness of a deep-pooled river. Few gardeners appreciate that apart from the tree forms there are low- growing varieties eminently suitable for the smaller landscape. Salix alba tristis, the Weeping Willow, is a familiar part of the large picture garden of poetic conception.
The graceful weeping branches are lovely when sufficient space can be given for full unrestricted development. Vitellina is very like the above but the young shoots are yellow and the annual growth less vigorous.
Of this genus none can rival our native Rowan or Mountain Ash. Even when grown in some suburban gardens the deeply divided leaves and orange-scarlet berries hint of the wide reaches of moor and lonely upland loch. First, in alphabetical order must come the whitebeam, Sorhus aria, with leaves which are green on the upper surface and silver grey underneath. The fruits in autumn are highly coloured and irresistible so far as the birds are concerned.
Salix hastata wehrhahnii, of similar stature, makes a picture when each naked branch is studded with large pearl-coloured catkins in April. Any moist soil will support a willow even if the water content is maintained by a thick mulch of peat. Cuttings of any young shoots removed at leisure and pushed into moist earth will root with nearly one hundred per cent. success.
For 14 years the umbrella-canopied shape of Stranvaesia davidiana has softened a hard line where border meets grass on the one hand, and a gravel path on the other in my garden. No doubt, with the years it will grow taller, my bushes are now some 7 ft. with narrow evergreen leaves, although a proportion do turn red in the autumn to complement the clusters of berries which are only slightly darker in colour. I have seen specimens on clay and sand, in light woodland or open border and all were charmingly attractive to the eye.
All are plants ‘pf well-drained, sun-baked regions. They root without reserve from cuttings taken at any time during the growing season, and if hard pruned break readily from ground level.
