About
This deciduous shrub, up to around 5m high, with upright to arching, slender stems and narrow, slightly blue-green leaves with paler undersides, that are flushed orange-red when young. Catkins are produced before the leaves in spring; male catkins are purplish, turning yellow as the pollen develops.
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
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid shallow chalk soil
PruningPruning group 7, every two or three years in March, for best show of catkins
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or 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