CottageFarms M94778 Tricolor Willow Tree Instructions
- June 1, 2024
- CottageFarms
Table of Contents
CottageFarms M94778 Tricolor Willow Tree
Specifications
- Light/Sun Exposure: Full to part sun
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Plant Type: Perennial
- Planting Distance In-Ground: At least 10 feet apart
- Container Size: One plant per 24-inch or larger container
- Mature Height / Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall with a similar spread; can be pruned to maintain a height and spread of 6 to 10 feet
- Time to Reach Maturity: 6 years
Product Usage Instructions
Soil Preparation
We recommend periodic soil testing by your local County Extension Office to determine the soil amendments needed. Ideal soil should be easy to dig, drain well, and hold nutrients. For in-ground planting, spade or till soil to 12-18 inches depth, add a 2-4 inch layer of organic matter, and mix well.
Planting Instructions
- Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the plant’s root ball.
- Partially backfill the hole with soil and place the plant in it at ground level.
- Firm the soil around the plant.
- Water thoroughly.
- Stake the tree for support.
Feeding and Watering
- Adequate watering is crucial in the first year. Infrequent, deep watering is better than frequent light watering. Stake the tree for support. Feed as needed based on plant health.
Winterizing and Continuing Care
- In late fall, water thoroughly to enhance cold tolerance. Mulch heavily around the base of the plant. In cold areas, consider bringing containerized plants indoors. Remove mulch in spring and resume normal care.
FAQ
- Q: How often should I water my tricolour willow tree?
- A: Adequate watering is essential, especially during the first year. Water infrequently but deeply to saturate the soil thoroughly.
OUT OF THE BOX
TRICOLOR WILLOW TREE SKU# M94778
Your plant has been shipped to you in a pot. Please remove it from the packaging right away and plant as soon as possible following the planting instructions below. If it is not possible to plant right away, follow these important steps:
- Roll the plastic down around the plant and place it in a sunny location.
- Keep the plant well-watered.
Note: Some leaves may appear wilted or yellow upon arrival. This is due to the stress of shipping and is nothing to worry about. Water the plant and let it recover in a shady location for a few days, then gently remove any foliage that does not recover to allow for new growth.
- SHIPPED IN AN 8-INCH POT.
- PLANT SIZE MAY VARY BASED ON GROWING CONDITIONS.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Important: Thoroughly hydrate the plant by submerging the root zone in a container of water for 10 minutes while you prepare for planting.
- Remove and discard the clear plastic bag from around the pot.
- After watering, remove the pot by holding the plant upside down in one hand and squeezing the sides of the pot with the other.
- Prepare the root ball for planting by gently disturbing the surface roots with your fingers, fork or gardening tool and pruning any damaged roots. This will encourage the roots to begin growing outward into the new soil.
- Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the plant’s root ball. Partially backfill the hole with soil and place the plant into the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground surrounding the hole. Refill the hole with soil, firming the soil around the plant with your fingers. Check to be sure the plant is not planted too deeply. If it is, raise the plant carefully and re-firm the soil.
- Water thoroughly.
- Stake the tree to allow strong roots to develop and to help keep it upright.
CONTINUING CARE
WATERING
- Adequate and consistent watering is essential during your plant’s first year in the garden. Infrequent, long soakings of water that thoroughly saturate the soil are more effective than frequent, light applications of water.
- Due to variable geographical and environmental conditions, a specific watering schedule is difficult to define. However, as a rule of thumb, you should not allow the soil or the original root ball to completely dry out. During the first summer, you may need to water as often as every few days in periods of drought and extreme summer heat. To determine if your plant needs water, dig a few inches into the soil next to the plant. If the soil is dry 2-3 inches below the surface, it is time to water.
- Over-watering can be as damaging as under-watering. Be sure that the area surrounding your plant has adequate drainage to move water away from the plant. If you choose to plant in a container, always select one with drainage holes to prevent your plant’s roots from sitting in water.
FEEDING
- Feed your plant once every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Cottage Farms’ Carefree Bud-N-Flower Booster (SKU #M7582).
- Discontinue feeding after September 1st so your plant can harden off for winter dormancy.
- Resume fertilizing when new growth appears in spring.
MULCHING
- Apply a 2-4 inch layer of shredded bark, compost, leaves, straw or other organic matter around your plants to promote moisture retention, maintain even soil temperatures and discourage weed growth.
- Replenish the mulch as needed.
WEEDING
- Keep the area around your plants free of weeds.
- Weeds compete with surrounding plants for food, water and light.
- Walk around the garden periodically and pull weeds, including the roots, as soon as you see them.
PRUNING
- Branches that have become damaged or overlapped can be removed at any time.
- Before new growth begins in spring, cut each branch back to a length of 12-24 inches.
- This process can be repeated throughout the summer months to encourage continuous flushes of new growth.
- Do not prune the tree in the fall.
- To ensure your tree keeps its form, remove any growth that appears on the trunk below the main branches and any growth coming up from the roots.
WINTERIZING
- Watering thoroughly in late fall will greatly enhance your plant’s cold tolerance once the ground has frozen.
- While willow trees are hardy, they will benefit from mulching in cold areas. The time to winterize your tree is in late fall. When winterizing your tree, keep in mind that the root system is the most vulnerable to cold damage. Mulch heavily by mounding a 6-8 inch layer of shredded bark, compost, leaves, straw or other organic material around the base of the plant.
- In cold areas, containerized plants can be brought into an unheated, protected area such as a garage or cellar before temperatures drop below freezing.
- Check soil moisture every 2-3 weeks and water as needed during winter.
- In spring, remove mulch from in-ground plantings.
- Containerized plants should be moved back out into the garden sunlight where they will begin to repeat their yearly garden performance.
QUICK REFERENCE PLANTING GUIDE
SOIL PREPARATION
- We recommend having your soil tested periodically by your local County Extension Office (www.nifa.usda.gov/extension or by calling 1-800-333-4636). A soil test can determine if your soil needs any amendments to enhance the growth and performance of your plants.
- Ideal garden soil is easy to dig in and drains well while still holding the nutrients and water vital to plant growth. To prepare a bed for in-ground planting, spade or till the soil to a depth of roughly 12-18 inches. Next, spread a 2-4 inch layer of organic matter such as compost, shredded leaves or peat moss over the soil and mix well.
Cottage Farms’ Guarantee
We aren’t happy if you aren’t happy. Cottage Farms warrants its perennials for one year and annuals for 90 days from the time of the shipment. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, Cottage Farms will replace your plant with a similar or comparable one at no charge. If your replacement is not available or it is too late in the season to ship, it will ship the following shipping season.
Caution: Do not assume any plant is safe to eat. Only parts of plants
expressly grown to be eaten should be considered edible. As with any product
that is not food, care should be taken to make sure that small children and
pets do not ingest any part of a plant that is not expressly grown to be
eaten.
Unless specifically stated, this product is intended for ornamental
horticultural use only and is not intended for consumption or ingestion by
humans or pets. Most plants are harmless but some contain toxic substances
which can cause adverse health effects. Furthermore, some individuals and some
animals are sensitive or allergic to certain plants and precautions should be
taken to limit or avoid physical contact with particular plants. Some plants
have thorns or spines that can be painful if handled.
In case of ingestion, contact a poison control centre immediately.
1-800-222-1222
Thank you for your order
Your satisfaction is of primary concern to us. Please use the following
resources for questions regarding your order:
CONTACT
- cottagefarmsdirect.com
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- 888-593-3644
- 9960 Padgett Switch Rd. Irvington, Alabama 36544