Curly Willow (Salix matsudana): Dramatic Twisted Branches for Garden & Crafts

Native to northwestern China, the curly willow (Salix matsudana, named for Japanese botanist Sadahisa Matsudo) is prized for its spectacularly contorted branches—earning names like corkscrew willow, dragon's claw, and Peking willow.

Key Characteristics

• Medium-large deciduous tree, 20–40 feet tall, spread half its height.
• Fast-growing but short-lived.
• Upright form with spiraling branches.
• Narrow light-green leaves; dioecious catkins (pale yellow) in April–May.
• Grown for dramatic winter branch architecture, not flowers/foliage.
• Easy propagation from softwood, semi-hardwood, or hardwood cuttings.
• Plant anytime except winter; prefers pH 5.6–7.8, full/partial sun, consistently moist soil.

As a Bonsai or Container Plant

Cultivar 'Salix matsudana Tortuosa' makes a striking bonsai. Prune multiple branches to a single trunk. Maintain soil pH. Note: brittle branches, thin bark (litters garden), susceptible to aphids, moths, borers, and root disturbance from wind.

Decorative Branch Uses

Slender, flexible branches create stunning floral arrangements or stand alone bare in tall vases for dramatic sculptural effect—accentuating shelves, floors, or artwork. Also useful for crafts like card-making.