About
Salix helvetica, the Swiss willow, is a twiggy, upright, dwarf deciduous shrub to 60 cm with small, oval, grey-green leaves white-hairy beneath. Silvery catkins 5 cm long open from golden buds and appear before or with the young leaves. A charming and rewarding alpine willow for a sunny, moist rock garden.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toAlps
Care notes
CultivationA small, slow growing shrub for sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 1
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