Ornamental Value and Adaptability of 8 Willow Clones

Eight willow species with ornamental value were chosen in this study. Eight indexes, such as plant height, tree gesture, crown breadth, leaf area, leaf shape, with or without autumn-leaf, branch color and branch angle, were observed with complete randomized block design. Based on analytic hierarchy process, the comprehensive ornamental evaluation of the above willows was conducted. Meanwhile, the adaptability of the 8 willows was also evaluated. The result shows that the comprehensive values of 4 willow species, Salix viminalis, S.matsudana Koidz f. tortuosa Rehder, Qu 6 and bamboo willow was higher than S.matsudana. The comprehensive value of S.viminalis was the highest and Qu 6 and S.matsudana Koidz f. tortuosa Rehder take second place, the above 3 willows was worth promoting. The ornamental characteristics of S.matsudana f. lobato-glandulosa, S.x aureo-pendula and Liu 23 were moderate, and they could be applied in use selectively. The survival rates of 7 willows except S.x aureo-pendula were above 80% and they were easy to reproduce. The winter survival rates of the 8 willows were 100% and they can survive in Beijing. The capacity of diseases and insects resistance of S.matsudana f. lobato-glandulosa, Liu 23, bamboo willow and S.matsudana f. tortuosa were strong, S.viminalis, Qu 6 and S.matsudana were moderate, S.x aureo-pendula was weak. The phenological period of 7 willows except S.viminalis had little difference. The sprout of S.viminalis was the earliest and the ornamental characteristics of blossom bud were also strong; one-year-old seedlings of S.viminalis could bloom and increased early spring flowering woody plants; with long green period and white fluff in blade back, S.viminalis was suitable to grow in Beijing. Therefore, four willows, S.viminalis, S.matsudana Koidz f. tortuosa Rehder, Qu 6 and bamboo willow, present fine ornamental values, possess long green strong period, are easy to reproduce and resistance to diseases and insects, so they are suitable to generalize in Beijing area.