OK, maybe ten. After seeing Marion Jarvies Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ that she changed from a shrub into a tree earlier in the month, I got thinking, always dangerous. And on the very last evening at Kilbourne Grove, while Ian’s family was visiting so they could take us to the airport the next morning, EARLY (like leaving the house at 3:30 a.m., early)! Sitting around having a glass of wine and staring at the Salix.
What did I do but get up and fetch my secateurs.
And started snipping.
I only had time to prune two before I had to break for dinner, and after dinner, and a couple of glasses of wine, well, there was no going back to the pruning.
But I got a sense of what they would look like, and look at all the new planting room there would be.
Now I can’t decide if five in a row would be interesting, or a mess, what do you think?
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Pauline Mulligan said,
June 19, 2012 @ 3:50 AM
Another pleached hedge like your lime walk maybe?! Or if they would move, then 1 on each corner of paths crossing, the possibilities are endless, you will have a few months to think about it!!
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:40 AM
It is good to have the time to think about it, and I might not even like it when I see it with ‘fresh’ eyes.
Heather @ new house, new home, new life said,
June 19, 2012 @ 7:34 AM
I can just see them = 5 in a row underplanted with something blue – maybe some more scilla or muscari. I’m looking around my yard right ow trying to figure out what I can turn into a tree. If not, I think I may just break down and buy a salix afterall.
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:41 AM
There is actually scilla already planted under them, but some blue hostas might be pretty for later in the season.
Barry P. said,
June 19, 2012 @ 7:36 AM
Great Idea!
Bon Voyage and hope to see you this coming Winter.
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:42 AM
Thank you Barry, but I shall be home in the autumn first.
Diana of Elephant's Eye said,
June 19, 2012 @ 10:32 AM
five in a row is a deliberate statement, focusing attention on wonderful foliage!
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:43 AM
It will certainly be a statement. Right now I have a birch very close to them, but I am thinking it might move, only planted a couple of years ago, and now, it is not as interesting a plant as it once was.
Laurrie said,
June 19, 2012 @ 11:04 AM
Nice job! I think five standard willows in a row could work, with some bulkier plants below. Isn’t it fun to experiment?
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:45 AM
I am just worried I planted them to close together, as they were shrubs ar that point. But I love experimenting, it is always a surprise how things turn out.
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
June 19, 2012 @ 11:21 PM
They seem close, but look nice trimmed like this. And better when underplanted. Have a safe trip back.
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:46 AM
They are close, probably too close together. I shall see how they look when I have pruned the other three in the fall. Easy enough to turn them back into shrubs.
tezalizard said,
June 21, 2012 @ 8:05 PM
Deborah:
You’ve seen my standard. The only advice I can offer is to keep on top of pruning, I let mine go for two years and have been trying to bring it back under control ever since. There are two other cultivars, S.i ‘Albomarginata’ and S.i ‘Flamingo’ that seem to have better colour throughout the summer – more consistent and longer than our beloved ‘Hakuro’s’ I think the line of five would make an impact statement, to pull people over for a closer look at them, and other treasures that I am sure you will find!
kilbournegrove said,
June 25, 2012 @ 6:48 AM
I am sure I shall find other treasures, that is not a problem. Marion prunes hers twice a year, so I could manage that, when I am home in the spring and in the fall, but we shall see how that works out.
dyarnell71 said,
June 27, 2012 @ 10:12 PM
I love that you went from thinking about it to jumping out of your seat to do it. A big commitment borne of inspiration. I think they’ll look great all together.
kilbournegrove said,
July 2, 2012 @ 2:31 PM
Thanks, I am often impulsive that way, sometimes it doesn’t work out, but no harm in trying.