Forum home› Plants

Pink Flamingo willow tree

newmslandscapesnewmslandscapes Posts: 29
in Plants
Hi all,

I posted something similar to this a year ago about a pink flamingo willow tree that is slowly deteriorating. We have tried cutting the dead wood out as you can see but more areas are not recovering?

anyone have any feedback

much appreciated 

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,322
    It's always a service to humanity chopping one of those down 😂 but at least this one had a lot of space unlike most pom pom shaped ones languishing in front gardens around the country.
    They don't have a reputation for being a particularly long lasting specimen tree and if they go short on water they tend to get disfigured. Let's see if anyone that actually likes those comes through. Because of its size can't imagine it would bounce back anytime soon. But happy to be proven wrong...for me a great opportunity to plant something nicer that gives back some blossom or interesting autumn colour. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,442
    edited August 2021
    Salix ' integra  Hakuro-nishiki'.
    Never seen one so large./normally very small lollipops on a stick.

    Have trimmed/turned your pic.


    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • newmslandscapesnewmslandscapes Posts: 29
    Thanks Silver Surfer.

    There is another one opposite that is a perfect ball shape and the same size. Just have no idea what to do with this one going forward.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,085
    I don't think there's much you can do. It's possibly just struggled in long dry spells, especially as it's very large. Like any willow, they need lots of water, and even an established one could find it difficult to get enough - there's a lot of competition there for moisture with the hedge. 

    I'm afraid I agree with @amancalledgeorge about these. Best pruned to the ground  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BettyWalesBettyWales Posts: 66
    Hi, not sure if I've missed part of this thread.... just wondering what sort of age are the two trees in the photos please? I have a small specimen (probably less than 10 years old) I'm quite happy with the current size and like the colour of new foliage during the summer months.
    I hoped to keep it to a manageable size through regular pruning but am alarmed and concerned to see these monsters! Am I being a big naive that it will remain suitable for the border it currently lives in? See photo below.....many thanks for any tips 😊

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,085
    If you keep it pruned, it'll be fine @BettyWales  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BettyWalesBettyWales Posts: 66
    Phew thanks Fairygirl! I'll keep on pruning my " lollipop on a stick" for now. Not ready to join the anti-pink flamingo gang yet hmm....not sure why they're so unpopular but maybe there's some history I'm not aware of? 🤔
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,085
    No - it's just that many people dislike the colours. I'm afraid I'm in that camp - I dislike pale pink anyway, and especially on foliage   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,442
    I have a dislike of any plant that looks like a lollipop.
    Agree with Fairygirl on pink leaves as well.

    Just as well we are all different.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • BettyWalesBettyWales Posts: 66
    👍 Roger that. Mine soon loses the pinkness and ends up more of a creamy white colour (as in pic) bit less insipid! But hey we're all different which makes our gardens all the more interesting 😊
Sign In or Register to comment.