By Gee19
Kent,
United Kingdom 
I have had a lovely lollipop Salix 'Hakura Nishiki' in my front garden for some years. This year it is a sorry sight, no growth on the bottom half. Is there anything I can do to encourage regrowth? No other nearby plants seem to have suffered in this way although, strangely, my daughter who lives the other side of the village to me, has the same problem with the same little tree in her garden. Both were purchased around the same time so perhaps this is just a natural 'age' problem?
Can I be cheeky and ask another question? The second and third photo are of a plant that has appeared just outside my front garden, growing in a gap in the paving there. Can anyone identify it please.
6 May, 2014
Answers
Thanks for identifying the newcomer, Seaburngirl.
I am not sure how old the willow is, probably between 12-15 years. The garden is heavy clay. Each winter the garden becomes rather waterlogged but less so now than several years ago.
6 May, 2014
That's interesting SBG. the jack-go-to-bed-at -noon that I know is more like a dandelion but its also a Tragopogon (T.porrifolius) Its confusing when more than one plant get the same popular name isn't it? Does this one form a dandelion clock?
7 May, 2014
Hi Sue, I think the Tragopogon that looks like a dandelion is T pratense, Derek.
7 May, 2014
Did you get to the bottom of this problem Gee, because I have heard that lot of trees have suffered (esp those in heavy clay)because of the very wet winter, some have lifted themselves out of the ground, not a great deal can be done about them unfortunately.....
9 Jun, 2014
No good news about the little willow, DD2. It seems to be deteriorating quite fast, just a few bits of coloured foliage across the top. My daughter's is even worse. Mine is in heavy clay and the garden does get waterlogged although my daughters is at the top of a slope so doesn't have that problem! We have had quite severe winds over the winter months so I wondered if that caused the problems. The branches are so brittle they just break off if touched. I will leave it until the autumn and then remove it and replace it with something else but I don't know what. It is close to the front fence so can't be too bushy (or will obstruct the pavement). I did wonder about those upright flowering cherries or a small crab apple.
9 Jun, 2014
Oh dear that is a shame, but you are not alone, a combination of wind and heavy rain seems to have caused the problems this year...I think your choice of a small cherry or crab apple sounds like a better plant to replace the willow...
9 Jun, 2014
the wild flower has several common names. Salsify,Lazy ned/jack go to bed. it closes about noon.
botanical name is Tragopogon porrifolius.
as for the willow- how old is it? Were the roots flooded for any length of time during the winter? if it has been used to being relatively dry over wetness would not do it any favours.
6 May, 2014