Dappled Willow Tree Form

Name: Dappled Willow Tree Form
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 19886
Price: 44.98 USD
Availability: InStock

Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'

Nature Hills Nursery

$44⁹⁸

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In Stock

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#1 Container 1-2 Feet

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Full sun is best for the brightest pink and white leaf tips, requiring at least six hours of direct light daily. While it handles partial shade well, the foliage colors will be more muted and look mostly green without sufficient sun.
Soil: This willow loves moist, well-draining soil but is famously tolerant of wet spots where other trees might struggle. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost at planting to help roots spread, or use a raised mound to improve drainage in boggy areas.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide deep watering twice a week to help the root system anchor itself. Once mature, the Dappled Willow is surprisingly resilient, but it will shed leaves or show crispy brown edges if the soil dries out completely. For the most vibrant "dappled" look, keep the soil consistently moist like a wrung-out sponge, especially during the heat of July and August.

Pruning Tips

This tree form blooms and produces its best color on new wood, so a hard pruning in late winter or very early spring is essential. Think of it like a refreshing haircut: cutting the branches back by about one third encourages a flush of vigorous, brightly colored new growth. If the head of the tree becomes too dense in midsummer, you can do a light "haircut" to tidy the shape and spark a second round of pink-tipped leaves.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this forces soft new growth that won't have time to "harden off" before the first frost, leading to winter tip-kill. A single application of an all-purpose garden food provides all the fuel needed for that signature spring color.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Colorful Willow Shrub Tree-Form!

In search of a beautiful, easy-care, colorful focal point for your landscape? It doesn't get much easier than our specialty Dappled Willow Tree Form (Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki') carefully crafted by our expert growers.

These incredible grafted shrubs are expertly trained atop single-stem standard trunks and easily retain a rounded canopy. The leaves unfurl from the buds in spring in a variegated mix of cream, green, and pink colors and mature into rich green.

All season long, Dappled Willows showcase their fine texture and loose and graceful, slightly weeping form. Watch as breezes lift and sway through your dynamic new tree-form accent. Even as the leaves drop in autumn, it offers stunning red stems to appreciate!

Landscape Application:

Gift yourself an outdoor garden room accent, and decorate with a specimen Dappled Willow Tree Form (or three). You'll have four seasons of interest and add in a layer of soft, white noise as the wind rustles through the leaves.

Use a pair flanking on either side of your front door for a big boost of curb appeal! Either in matching pots or in the ground! No one can ignore a Dappled Willow and seeing these colorful plants elevated atop tall trunks, they sure add a sprightly charm to staidly mature foundation plantings!

Try a row along your patio, or alternate with the shrub form for a coordinated modern feature. Stick with an odd number of the tree form looks best. Measure anywhere from five to eight feet apart from trunk to trunk.

Contrast them with the rigid forms of Adam's Needle Yucca and Sky Pencil Holly for a thought-provoking partnership! Create a new raised bed on the sunny side of your old Douglas Fir tree. The coral-red winter stems will jazz up any evergreen tree or shrub!

Red Stems & Cream, Green & Pink Foliage
Fine-Textured Foliage Matures Deep Green
Round Canopy Atop A Straight Standard Trunk
Showy Accents & Container Focal Points
Gorgeous Specimen Grafted Trees

#ProPlantTips for Care

Dappled Willow trees are easily grown in full sun or in partial shade, appreciating afternoon shade in hotter growing zones. Give it at least four hours of direct sunlight for best results. Like all Willows, Dappled Willow thrives in moist soil. However, once your plants are established, they will tolerate drier and well-drained soils better than most other Willows.

As they establish themselves in your yard in the first year or two, make sure they receive consistent watering. This will encourage deep root systems; as will Nature Hills Root Booster added to the planting hole.

Prune the canopy to any size and clean up the trunk as needed in early spring. Extend the beautiful new growth coloration by cutting out the longest, oldest stems through the season. Keep them pruned into tight "lollipops" or let them be free and natural.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Adaptable To Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs
Prune In Late Winter
Very Fast & Easy To Grow

You might be tempted to refer to this unique tree-form as a wild nickname, like the Dr. Suessian "The Lorax" and dress it up for the holidays! Hurry and order your own Dappled Willow Tree Form today at NatureHills.com!

Botanical Name

Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'
Class
- Fagales
Species

integra
Cultivar

Hakuro Nishiki
Growing Zones

4-9
Height

7-10 ft
Width

4-6 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Fast
Flower Color
- Yellow
Leaf Color
- Green
- White
- Pink
- Variegated
Fall Color

Red
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is the Dappled Willow Tree Form suitable for?

Dappled Willow Tree Form thrives in USDA zones 4-9, handling both cold winters and warm summers with ease. This hardy willow adapts to various climates while maintaining its colorful foliage and graceful form. Check your local zone before planting to ensure long-term success.

How tall and wide does the Dappled Willow Tree Form grow at maturity?

The Dappled Willow Tree Form typically reaches 6-8 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its grafted standard trunk supports a naturally rounded canopy that maintains an elegant weeping form. Space them 5-8 feet apart for proper growth, available at naturehills.com.

What are the sunlight requirements for Dappled Willow Tree Form—full sun or partial shade?

Dappled Willow Tree Form thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. While it tolerates some shade, full sun exposure brings out the most vibrant pink and cream variegation in the spring foliage. Plant in a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for best color development.

How much water does Dappled Willow Tree Form need after planting, and is it tolerant of wet conditions?

Dappled Willow Tree Forms need consistent moisture the first year after planting, requiring deep watering 2-3 times weekly. Being willows, they tolerate wet soil conditions well once established. Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, and maintain mulch around the base to retain moisture.

When and how should I prune my Dappled Willow Tree Form to maintain its shape?

Prune your Dappled Willow Tree Form in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any suckers from the base and lightly trim the canopy to maintain its rounded shape. Avoid heavy pruning to preserve the graceful weeping form that makes this specialty tree, available at naturehills.com, so striking.

Is the Dappled Willow Tree Form grafted, and will the graft affect its long-term health?

Yes, the Dappled Willow Tree Form is grafted onto a single-stem standard trunk by expert growers. This grafting technique creates the tree form while maintaining the plant's natural vigor and colorful foliage characteristics. The graft union is stable and won't compromise long-term health when properly maintained. Plant in well-draining soil and avoid damage to the trunk base.

Can Dappled Willow Tree Form be grown in a container or pot?

Yes, Dappled Willow Tree Form grows excellently in containers and makes stunning focal points in pots. The product description specifically mentions using them "in matching pots" flanking doorways for curb appeal. Choose a large container with drainage holes and use quality potting mix for best results.

How do I plant my shipped Dappled Willow Tree Form, including hole size and depth?

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the container height. Plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot, ensuring the graft union stays above soil level. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

What fertilizer does Dappled Willow Tree Form need, and how often should I apply it?

Dappled Willow Tree Form thrives with balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied in early spring before bud break. Feed again in mid-summer if growth seems sluggish. Apply around the drip line and water thoroughly afterward for best nutrient uptake.