About

This prostrate shrub, with long trailing arms, to 30cm high and up to 3m across. Leaves mature to a glossy green before turning yellow in autumn. Rounded to ovate, net-veined leaves are held on long stalks and emerge covered with silky white hairs. Silky, yellowish catkins are borne in 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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesRock garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toRussia to Japan

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade
PruningPruning group 1
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