About

A small, weeping tree to about 3m tall and 4m wide, with hanging, glossy, red-brown branches, narrow, fresh green foliage and slim, dark brown catkins in early spring.

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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitPendulous weeping
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles and sawflies
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to willow anthracnose, a rust and a canker