Willows 315 



replacement; thus groups, planted for color effect, can be kept in good 

 form by coppice treatment. 



The largest trees of the genus come from Europe. The handsomest, 

 best known species is — 



S. Babylonica Linn. (312), Weeping Willozv, than which there is no 

 more beautiful tree, with its long, pendulous branchlets, like flowing 

 tresses of soft feathery green. It is an extremely rapid grower on any 

 soil but a wet one; more liable to suckering than any other. In addi- 

 tion to its particular place by the waterside or spring, it enhances the 

 attractiveness of the rural home. 



S. alba Linn. (313) and its variety regalis (313a), White Willow, from 

 Europe, is a handsome, round-headed tree of goodly size, resembling the 

 former, but of stilT habit, and the foliage silvery-white beneath. A variety 

 of S. vitellina Linn., aiirea (314), adds to the pleasure of a winter scene 

 by the golden to orange-yellow color of its branchlets and branches. 



Some other willows become ornamental because of the color of their 

 twigs, by a proper combination of which a pleasing color winter gar- 

 den can be devised; such are: 



S.fragilis, Linn. (315) (green); S. Candida Flueg. (316) (red); 5". 

 purpurea Linn. (317) (olive) and its vsinety Scharfenbergia (317a) with 

 purple twigs and leaves like rosemary; S. decipiens Hoffm. (318) (red 

 and yellow); S. nigra Marsh (319) (dark purple); S. nigricans Sm. 

 hirta (320) (soft gray); S. Voronesh (321) (bright deep yellow), a very 

 hardy tree. 



Several weeping varieties may be used for small yards or lawns if 

 nothing better can be found; such are S. caprea Linn., pendula (322), 

 the Kilmarnock Willow, one of the most distinctive and graceful, with 

 a close, regular habit, and large, glossy, abundant foliage. This willow 

 is suitable for almost any position. 



Japan furnishes one most distinctive, semi-pendulous willow — 



S. Niobe (322 bis), the long, lithe rods of light yellow color beset 

 with silvery-white (underneath) foliage. 



Of our native ones, which have been rather neglected, being small 

 trees or shrubs, we may mention as worthy of consideration: 



S. discolor Muhl. (323), the commonest, most widely distributed, 

 with upright branches and bright green foliage; and a still smaller, 

 bushy tree (six to fifteen feet) or shrub: 



S. lucida Muhl. (324), with yellowish-brown, highly polished 

 branches, and dark green, shining leaves. 



