About
Salix herbacea, the dwarf willow, is the world's smallest willow � a dwarf shrub forming a low mat of creeping stems, each with two or three small, broadly oval to rounded, glossy-green, clearly veined leaves. Small, reddish flowers appear in spring; female plants develop seed pods turning red as they ripen. A specialist alpine plant for a cool, moist, very well-drained 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
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope, N America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid shallow chalk soil. Very tolerant of cold and exposed conditions
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, willow leaf beetle, sawflies and willow scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust diseases