About
Salix caprea, the goat willow, is a large, spreading, rounded deciduous shrub or small tree to about 9 m with broadly elliptic, short-stalked, green leaves to 10 cm long, greyish beneath. Silvery-grey catkins appear in spring before the leaves � male catkins 4 cm long with golden anthers, female to 7 cm long and green. The classic 'pussy willow' of hedgerows and gardens.
About the genus
Salix, the willows, are deciduous shrubs and trees of very diverse habit, with simple leaves and tiny flowers in catkins, male and female usually on separate plants. Some are valued for brightly coloured winter shoots, others for ornamental catkins, foliage or stature.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toEurope to NE Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any deep moist well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes shallow chalk soils
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings (greenwood) in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to willow anthracnose, scab, canker, honey fungus and rust