In this article, you’ll learn what plants to pair with desert willow.
Truly, companion plants for desert willow play key roles in protecting the plant from pests, attracting pollinating insects and birds, and fostering the growth of desert willow plants.
These plants are often used by landscapers and gardeners because they can be grown in the open rather than being indoors where it may not be possible.
However, these plants are not suitable for all climates as some are not suitable for the dry climate.
The companion plants that are suitable to grow beside desert willow are:
- Autumn blaze maple
- Pine
- White ash
- American Sweetgum
- Red Oaks
- Sugar maple
- Silk tree
- Catalpa
These plants can be used by professional landscapers who use them to add value to their landscape.
They are often used to surround an existing tree and make a fence, although they can also be planted directly around the home to create a focal point.
Other plants used for this purpose are cacti, azaleas, hydrangeas, and other plants that will attract bees and butterflies.
Desert willow orchid
One of the most common companion plants for the desert willow is the desert willow orchid.
This is a small perennial plant that grows to about 3 feet tall and has narrow leaves with spiny tips.
The name comes from the fact that they have spines on the flowers, which look like willow leaves.
This is an excellent companion plant for an area where you want to have a certain color such as the shade-loving white-flowering daisy.
They will produce blooms in the summer when temperatures rise so they can be planted year-round to attract bees and butterflies.
i). California poppy
Another companion plant for desert willow is the California poppy. This is a flowering shrub that grows to about 6 feet tall.
When growing it in full sun you will need to water it regularly but when you plant it in the shade it will be less bothered.
There are many other plants that can be used as a companion plant for your garden. If you are looking for a useful addition to your landscape then consider using a variety of these plants.
ii). Planting a desert garden
A desert garden is very rewarding as plants can vary greatly in their attractiveness, size, and fragility.
When planting companion plants for the desert area, it is important to take into consideration the weather.
If the weather is dry then you will want to choose plants that are not too tall to prevent them from getting damaged by the heat or sun.
If the plants that you choose are not native to your area then you should check out a species plant or two first to see what kind of maintenance they require.
If they are already established then you should prune them to avoid spreading their roots into your soil.
You should always keep in mind that it is best to choose plants that are not too hardy.
If you plant trees close together it will be difficult for them to withstand the cold during the winter or to withstand the heat during summer.
If you have any plants that require repotting then you will need to plan carefully so that the soil around the base of each plant receives the proper moisture.
Plants will grow to be quite large in the wild so it may take several years before you see any growth at all.
Is desert willow fast growing?
Is desert willow fast growing? This is a very common question asked by many gardeners.
It can be tough to tell how fast or slow a tree is growing.
Here are some facts that you need to know before you rush out and buy one of those desert willow plants.
a). Soil type
The type of soil that a plant is grown in will have a lot to do with the speed at which it grows. If the soil is poorly draining and has too much clay then the plant may not grow very quickly.
On the other hand, if the soil is rich in clay and water is not being scarce then the plant will be very healthy and grow quickly.
Soil is also very important when you are looking at what is fast growing.
Soil that is full of minerals and nutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and manganese will help make the desert willow grow faster.
But it’s best to check on your local nursery to find the best soils for the plant.
A lot of people like to use clay-based soils in their desert willow plants because they tend to hold moisture better than the loose loamy ones.
b). Watering
Watering a plant will have a big impact on how fast it grows. If you don’t water your plant regularly then you will have a very slow growing plant.
However, if you do water your plant then it will grow very quickly. It’s best to wait until the end of the growing season for watering your plants.
The reason for this is that most plants need a minimum of 4 hours per day of light.
You should also know that plants will grow slower in the winter so that’s why if you plant during the summer you want to make sure that the plant is always at least 6 inches tall.
c). Mode of planting
Desert willow plants can be planted from seed. However, you have to be very careful with how you handle the seeds.
Seeds that get into the ground and have not been properly aerated and watered before you plant them will probably not germinate and will likely fail in your planting attempt.
Make sure that you remove any seeds that don’t get properly aerated and watered and let them sit in the sun for a few days until you can begin planting the seeds in the ground.
When you plant the seeds you want to make sure that you do all you can to insure that the seeds do not sprout near the trunk. This could lead to a major problem.
If you plant your seeds too far apart then they can compete with the roots of other plants.
Some people do use seedlings and transplant them to ensure that the plants don’t compete with each other and kill each other.
Are desert willow trees poisonous?
No, they’re not. However, to determine if a specie of desert willow tree is poisonous, let’s consider a few things:
1). Desert willow trees are evergreens
They are known for their evergreen foliage and beautiful leaves and flowers.
They are an excellent plant to have for any yard as they are great at shading and providing shade for a garden or patio.
2). Origin
Most willow trees are native to North America, but they can also be found in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
They are native to the deserts where temperatures can reach as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
The evergreen foliage is able to withstand these extreme temperatures because it has chlorophyll in it that provides protection against the dryness of the desert environment.
They can thrive even in dry areas that have moderate humidity.
3). Examine the leaves
In order for you to know if your willow trees are poisonous, you will need to look closely at the leaves of the tree. You will notice that the leaves will turn red in color.
This is because the leaves contain some nitrogen in them that you can find in the leaves and the air.
When you see that your willow trees are dying or wilting, this is probably due to the dryness and heat that are being experienced by your yard.
The more sun that you get on your yard, the more the tree will dry out and begin to die.
If you do not water your trees in between watering your lawn, you will notice that the leaves will turn yellow and fall off before they have time to become fully wilted.
There are some precautions that you should take when you are planting desert willow trees in your yard.
As long as you are careful and do not over water your tree, you should have no problems.
The plants will also survive because of the many years of dry climate that they have experienced.
Although it is highly likely that you are going to be able to grow desert willow trees, they are not always a sure thing.
The tree’s main stem
There are some things you should watch for if you want to get the most out of your tree. One of the most important things to watch for is the root ball and the tree’s main stem.
You should make sure that you check to see that your roots are not exposed to too much water.
It is a good idea to use a sharp knife to cut the tree back about half way through its life. You should then clean out the inside of the tree in order to make sure that you are not getting any harmful insects or worms inside.
If you do have an area that is hard to reach, you should make sure that you cut away the dead wood around it and then remove any of the roots that are sticking out.
If you find that there are insects or worms, it is important that you get rid of them before you get rid of any roots.
Once you know that your willow trees are poisonous, you will want to avoid using them around children and pets.
The leaves and flowers can also be toxic to your pets so you will want to avoid using your plants in the garden.
This means that you should make sure that you have a safe place for them to sleep away from the garden area.
How to plant desert willow
When it comes to the art of how to plant desert willow trees, one thing is certain.
While it is not impossible, it is definitely going to take a considerable amount of time and patience on your part.
You will also have to learn a few tricks of the trade that may prove helpful in the long run.
1. Size of your tree
The first thing that you will need to do is to determine the size of your willow.
For those that are new to the idea, you should keep in mind that a large variety of willow trees grow in and around the desert. This means that it would be difficult for you to plant each of them at the same spot, even if they are close to each other.
2. Use a container or pot
Next, you should know that one of the best ways to plant desert willow trees is to utilize pot or container.
This may not seem like a big deal, but keep in mind that they will be resting in this container for long periods of time.
Therefore, it will be important to make sure that it is large enough for them to move around and get comfortable inside of.
As you begin to learn how to plant desert willow trees, you should keep in mind that they will need more moisture than other types of trees.
You will have to water them on a regular basis, so that they can grow healthy.
If you do not know how to water them, you may want to consult a gardening professional or a local extension agent for some advice.
Once you have learned how to plant desert willow trees properly, you will then need to decide where you are going to plant each one.
Depending on the climate in which you live, you will want to plant them in different locations. This will ensure that they have someplace that receives plenty of sunlight.
Conclusion
Companion planting is essential if you want to deter harmful pests from your garden, attract insects of economic importance, and give life to your desert willow plant.
If you have already learned how to plant desert willow trees, you can begin growing them right in your yard.
However, there are times when you may want to move them to a location that will provide them with adequate sunlight and protection from the elements.
This way, you will be assured that they will stay looking great for many years to come.