koriyanagi ‘Rubykins’

This species is native to Korea and is widely in Japanese and Chinese gardens, also in fine basket making. Similar in size and shape to Salix purpurea, but has green leaves in pairs or in a whorl of three, whereas purpureas have blue-gray leaves in opposite pairs. Normally it grows up to 12ft tall and about half as wide. This vigorous red-flowered female selection was made by Bill Wandell of Illinois and is easy to grow and enjoy. Like most willows it’s best to coppice this variety every 1-3 years. In the wild, the species grows in sandy/gravelly soil, but ‘Rubykins’ is equally happy in our heavy clay-loam. Great for late-winter bouquets. The long thin rods can also be used for fine basket making and elegant living structures.