Don't turn your back on it, it will overtake your children and pets ;o) . . . . . . . and you can grow about any tree in a pot you've a mind to. The Salix genus is full of plants with rather amazing vigor, so you'll be pressed hard to keep it small w/o some considerable pruning skills and the will to do what needs to be done. You'll need to prune the plant hard, annually, both above and below the soil line to keep it in bounds. Nothing special about it's soil requirements, it should do well in any old potting soil, but a well-aerated soil will be best. You'll completely change the soil each early spring though, if you want it to remain in peak health. The plant is a heavy feeder, but you can help keep it compact by feeding a 3:1:2 or a 2:1:2 ratio fertilizer (this is the RATIO - not the blend, so if you don't understand this - please ask). The plant will better resist the various diseases and insects it's susceptible to if you are able to keep vitality high. Al

"these trees HATE wet roots. " LOL!! You may be the only one that thinks so :-) Like may other willows, Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa', aka corkscrew or Hankow willow is extremely tolerant of wet soils and will even tolerate standing water for periods of time. But they are also more tolerant of dry conditions than many willows, as well. But like most willows, they trend not to be long lived - prone to weak wood and falling branches and breakage and host to a zillion different insect and disease problems. Would suspect that the decline of your trees, Lauren, is NOT due to wet soils but one or more of the other issues that shorten corkscrew willows' lives.

Find one growing in a public park or in someone's yard, ask permission to take a small cutting, stick it in the ground, water, and get out of the way. Like almost all willows, they are easily propagated from cuttings.

You may have lucked out with both your choice of trees and the misadvised soil :-) Willows will grow darn near anywhere and certainly do not mind heavy, waterlogged soil. Of any plants that might survive long term under those conditions, willows are definitely on the short list.