About
A low-growing, mat-forming deciduous shrub to around 90cm in height, with slender stems, red when young, and small oval-shaped silky dark green foliage, silver underneath. White catkins appear in spring, before the leaves appear.
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 hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Matforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, 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
PropagationRoot softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies and willow scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust