About
A small deciduous tree, usually grafted as a standard at 2-3m, forming a broad, pendulous crown of slender arching purple shoots with narrow leaves, glaucous beneath and slender catkins, to 2.5cm, opening with the leaves.
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, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitPendulous weeping
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Coastal
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any deep moist well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes shallow chalk soils
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