Best Chinese Weeping Willow Trees for Yards and Gardens
The best Chinese weeping willow choice depends on whether you want an established live tree or are comfortable rooting cuttings. The Perfect Plants 5–6 ft tree is best for buyers seeking a larger starting plant, while the gold willow cuttings suit gardeners who want to grow several starts. Curly and corkscrew willows offer distinctive twisted branches rather than the classic weeping form. Compare the products below by starting size, plant type, and stated growing characteristics.
| Product | Best For | What You Receive |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Weeping Willow | A larger live tree | 5–6 ft live plant |
| Gold Weeping Willow Cuttings | Growing multiple trees | Five dormant cuttings |
| Generic Weeping Willow | A compact nursery-start tree | 2–3 ft tree in a 1-gallon pot |
| Golden Curls Corkscrew Willow | Twisted branches and winter interest | Live plant in a 2.5-quart grow bag |
| Curly Willow Cuttings | Propagation and decorative growth | Four live cuttings |
Perfect Plants Weeping Willow Tree
This live weeping willow arrives at a listed height of 5–6 feet and includes plant food. Its light-green foliage forms the flowing, arching appearance associated with weeping willow trees. The listing says the tree grows quickly and prefers full sun, though some shade is described as helpful.
Best for: Buyers who want a larger live starting tree instead of dormant cuttings. It was selected for its stated height and classic cascading foliage. Choose this if you have a sunny planting location. The product information does not specify the exact botanical species, so confirm the plant identity if you require a particular cultivar or species.
Gold Weeping Willow Tree Cuttings
This set includes five jumbo, live dormant golden weeping willow cuttings. The listing presents them as a fast-growing option for shade, privacy, and landscape features, with cascading branches and lush green foliage as the mature-tree look to expect.
Best for: Gardeners who want several starts and are willing to grow trees from cuttings. The five-piece quantity makes this a better fit than a single nursery-grown tree for someone planning more than one planting. Avoid this if you need an established tree immediately; cuttings require rooting and growing before they provide shade or privacy. The listing does not give a mature size or detailed rooting instructions.
Compact Nursery Weeping Willow
This deciduous weeping willow is listed at 2–3 feet tall and arrives in a 1-gallon nursery pot. Its description highlights cascading branches and long, slender leaves. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and is described as tolerating loamy and sandy soil types.
Best for: Buyers seeking a potted tree smaller than the 5–6 ft option. It offers a live nursery-start plant and clear soil guidance. A key limitation is its shipping restriction: the seller states it cannot ship to California, Arizona, Alaska, or Hawaii. Check eligibility before ordering, particularly if you live in one of those states.
Golden Curls Corkscrew Willow
This live corkscrew willow is shipped in a fabric grow bag and is described as growing in a 2.5-quart nursery container. Its curled branches and golden bark add structure beyond the growing season. The listing says it can tolerate full sun or partial shade, adapts to poorly drained soil, and can mature to about 30 feet.
Best for: Buyers who want a willow with twisted branches and winter interest rather than a strictly traditional silhouette. The stated adaptability to sun exposure and poorly drained soil distinguishes it from products that specify full sun or moist, well-drained soil. Note that it is a corkscrew variety and may develop a shrub-like appearance when young. It does not ship in a plastic pot.
Curly Willow Cuttings for Planting
This set contains four live weeping curly willow cuttings. The listing says the cuttings can be rooted in water or soil and describes curly willow as fast-growing and adaptable. Twisted branches give the resulting trees a different ornamental effect from a classic, fine-branching weeping willow.
Best for: Gardeners who want a propagation project or several decorative starts. It was selected for its four-cutting quantity and stated rooting options. Choose this if you are comfortable establishing plants from cuttings; avoid it if you need a ready-to-plant mature specimen. Rooting success and the time required to grow a landscape-size tree are not specified.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Weeping Willow
Should you buy a live tree or cuttings?
A live nursery tree gives you an established starting plant and a listed height, as with the 5–6 ft and 2–3 ft options here. Cuttings provide multiple starts but require rooting and more time to become landscape trees. Choose a cutting set if propagation is part of your plan, not if you need immediate shade.
Do you want a classic or twisted shape?
Look for a product described as a weeping willow if you want cascading branches. Curly and corkscrew willows are better for distinctive twisted growth and winter branch interest. Product names alone do not establish that every listing is the same botanical species, so check the seller’s plant identification when species matters.
What site conditions should you compare?
Check the stated sun and soil preferences against your planting area. One listing prefers full sun, another describes moist, well-drained soil, and the corkscrew willow listing says it tolerates partial shade and poorly drained soil. These differences matter when choosing a location. Also consider the corkscrew listing’s stated mature height of about 30 feet before planting.
Are there shipping or packaging limits?
Review shipping eligibility before ordering. The 2–3 ft nursery tree listing excludes California, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii. The corkscrew willow ships in a fabric grow bag rather than a plastic pot. For any live plant or cutting, read the current listing for handling details and regional restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Chinese weeping willow the same as a curly willow?
Not necessarily. “Chinese weeping willow” commonly refers to Salix babylonica, while curly or corkscrew willow describes a distinct twisted-branch form. Check the product’s botanical identification if you need a specific species.
Which option is best for a larger starting tree?
The Perfect Plants listing gives a starting height of 5–6 feet, making it the largest stated live-tree option in this comparison.
Can willow cuttings be rooted in water or soil?
The curly willow cutting listing says its cuttings can be rooted in either water or soil. The gold cutting listing does not provide the same detailed rooting directions.
Which product is described as tolerating partial shade?
The Golden Curls Corkscrew Weeping Willow listing says it can grow in full sun or partial shade.
Which listing has a state shipping restriction?
The 2–3 ft generic weeping willow listing says it cannot ship to California, Arizona, Alaska, or Hawaii.