About

A deciduous shrub or small tree, with branches drooping slightly at the tips, reaching a height and spread of 2.5m. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves, to 10cm long, emerge pink in spring, maturing to variegated shades of pink, creamy-white and green before turning predominantly green as the summer progresses. Yellow catkins are borne on bare stems in spring and the stems, particularly of the new growth, turn an orange-red colour in the autumn.

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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-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 height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in full sun in a moist, well-drained soil. Particularly good next to ponds
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings
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
← Plant Directory