About
Yellow catkins appear before the foliage in spring. A compact deciduous shrub to small tree, with striking spring foliage that emerges marbled green, white and pink. Leaves fade to green in summer, revealing orange-brown stems when they drop in autumn. Often sold as a standard or 'lollipop' tree, it is suitable for small gardens as a container or specimen plant.
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
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Avoid shallow chalk soil. Mulch well in containers to aid moisture retention. Leaf colour is best in full sun, though leaves may scorch in hot afternoon sun
PruningPruning group 1 or 7
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