About
A low-growing shrub, with prostrate stems that root along the length to form loose, open mats. Reddish-pink catkins are produced in summer, and leaves turn shades of yellow, red and bronze in autumn. Leaves are oval to rounded, and glossy dark green with conspicuous veins and whitish undersides.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Alpine Rockery
HabitMatforming, Trailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesRock garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationThrives in cooler regions, in moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun or part shade
PruningPruning group 1 or 7
PropagationPropagate by division, by softwood cuttings in early summer or by 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