About
A spreading deciduous shrub with reddish young shoots, and oblong, dark green leaves and silky grey male catkins with yellow anthers in late winter and early 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, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile deep soil in sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 1. Suitable for pollarding or coppicing to promote new shoots
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings 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