Question
Hi Jim, please tell me the difference between :

Weeping willow Salix Blanda
         and
Weeping Willow Salix Babylonica

I am so confused with this. Are they the same or is there a difference?
Thanks so much
Betty

Answer
They are different varieties of willow.

Salix blanda; Salix pendulina; Salix pendulina blanda; Wisconsin weeping willow (hybrid willow usually not strongly weeping in habit.

leaves alternate, linear, toothed margin
leaves bright green, thick
buds with a single scale, appressed to stem
stems smooth, olive brown
flowers are catkins in spring
fruit are of no consequence
bark brown, rough, with vertical ridges
habit is a large tree, usually branching low to become multi-stemmed
tree has weeping character that is the best ID character
branches and twigs are pendulous


Babylonian weeping willow; Salix babylonica; weeping willow (willow with long drooping branches and slender leaves native to China; widely cultivated as an ornamental.

Leaf: Alternate, simple, very narrowly lance-shaped, finely serrated margin, yellow-green above, milky green below, 3 to 6 inches in length, 3/8 to 1/2 inch in width.
Flower: Dioecious; males and females appear as upright catkins and are quite fuzzy, 1 inch long, appearing before or with the leaves.
Fruit: A one inch long cluster of valve-like capsules, light brown in color containing many fine, cottony seeds, ripen in late May to early June.
Twig: Very slender, smooth, olive-green to pale yellowish brown, hanging or drooping for long distances, almost rope-like; buds are small, appressed and covered by a single, cap-like scale. Terminal buds lacking.
Bark: Grayish brown and irregularly furrowed.
Form: Easily identified due to their long, graceful branches that sweep towards the ground. Crown is usually round, attaining a height of 40 to 50 feet.  


Babylonica  willow is well known for its distinctive weeping foliage. It is among the first willows to bear leaves in spring and among the last to shed them in autumn. Where Blanda weeps but the branches do not generally reach the ground--less weeping than the Babylonia, I hope this helps.