Cultivation and Uses
Chinese willow has been introduced into many areas as an ornamental tree, including Australia, Europe and North America.
A particularly popular cultivar of this species is Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa', the "Corkscrew willow" (also known as the Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon's claw, or globe willow), in which the branches and twigs grow in a spiral, twisting manner. As a result of the ornamental shape of the branches and twigs, this cultivar is commonly used as a bonsai plant and for floral arrangements. However, this cultivar is susceptible to cankers, and is weak-wooded and prone to storm damage. Cultivars that have been selected to resist this include "Golden Curls" (a hybrid with the white willow (Salix alba)); "Scarlet Curls"; and "Navajo", the "Navajo willow" selected in the southwestern United States.
Another cultivar of hybrid origin between Chinese willow and white willow is "Austree"; this is an exceptionally fast-growing cultivar with straight (not contorted) branches, sold for screening and fast tree cover. However it too is very prone to cankers and other diseases, making it very short-lived and unsuitable for most of the purposes for which it is sold.
Read more about this topic: Salix Matsudana
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