Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Weeping Willow

Weeping Willow is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of staking correctly with a low stake to allow the trunk to flex and strengthen in the early stages and paid for it. scale insects or aphids in the canopy attracting sooty mould also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a specimen on a lawn as a traditional statement tree which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. significant impact on the microclimate and character of a garden is visible but muted. bare winter silhouette revealing branch structure and bark gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.