About
A large deciduous tree, with a conical habit, slender branches and vivid yellow new shoots, Leaves are narrowly lance-shaped, and covered with silky hairs, making them look silvery from a distance. Slender catkins are produced alongside the new leaves in spring.
About the genus
Salix are deciduous shrubs and trees of diverse habit, with simple leaves and tiny flowers in catkins, male and female usually on separate plants. Some are valued for their brightly coloured winter shoots, others for their foliage or showy male catkins
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationThrives in deep, moisture retentive soil, ideally in full sun. Will tolerate some waterlogging, but dislikes shallow chalk
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 7 for brighter coloured stems
PropagationPropagate from hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, gall mites, flea beetles, sawfly larvae, and willow scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to willow anthracnose, watermark disease, willow heart rot, rust diseases, crown gall, honey fungus, root rot, silver leaf, and tar spot