About
A very variable species, either a small tree up to 8m high or a shrub, sometimes forming shrubby thickets when prostrate branches layer themselves. Catkins appear in spring; the males up to 5cm long and the females up to 12 cm long. Oblong leaves, up to 15cm long, which are glossy dark green above and felted blue-green below are held on glossy, red-brown branches.
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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toNW America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun in moist or wet soil
PruningPruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs)
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