About
Salix magnifica, the foot-catkin willow, is a deciduous shrub to 5 m of open habit with red-brown shoots and attractive, magnolia-like, dark blue-green leaves to 20 cm long. Slender male catkins to 18 cm and female catkins to 25 cm open after the leaves in late spring. A distinctive and ornamental willow with unusually large foliage for a moist, sunny, sheltered 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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile deep soil in sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 1 or pollarding every 3-4 years
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