Читать книгу Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens - E. T. Cook - Страница 25

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Of the almost innumerable species and varieties of Salix, it is only a few that need be mentioned here for their beauty when in flower. So far as I have been able to judge, the most ornamental of the Willows in catkin time is Salix smithiana, known also as S. mollissima. This tree flowers about mid-March, producing its shortish, thick male catkins in very great abundance; the numerous exposed anthers give a soft but glowing yellow tone to the tree, and entitle it to rank as one of the most ornamental of early-flowering trees. The pendulous variety of Salix Capræa is known as the Kilmarnock Willow. Although of weeping habit it is somewhat stiff in character; but towards the end of March and later it is exceedingly pretty loaded with its grey catkins. The flowers of the typical S. Capræa (the Goat Willow) are commonly known in many country places as Palm, and are used for decorating churches on Palm Sunday. The slender, coloured twigs of the Purple Willow (Salix purpurea) bear red or purplish-tinted catkins in early April. Salix stipularis may also be mentioned for its beauty when in flower.