Salix
Willow, Osier, Sallow
- Height × spread
- 0.05m – 27m × 0.3m – 15m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Celtic for "near water", willow are often grown as riverside trees. It's valued for its drooping catkins or silky silver buds of pussy willow, a welcome early pollen feast for bees in spring. Some have coloured stems, revealed in winter. The family includes majestic trees 27m tall, plus garden worthy small trees and shrubs, some weep, others are upright. Best grown at a distance from buildings.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Grey, Orange, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green, Grey, Pink, Silver, White, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Cone, Dome, Fan, Prostrate, Round, Weeping
- Height
- 0.05m – 27m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 15m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Salix
Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock'
Kilmarnock Willow, Goat willow, Great Sallow, Pussy willow, Florist's willow
Salix 'Iceberg Alley®'
American hoary-leaved willow
Salix acutifolia 'Blue Streak'
Caspian willow
Salix aegyptiaca
Musk willow, Egyptian musk willow, Calaf of Persia willow
Salix alba
White willow
Salix alba
Willow, White willow
Salix alba 'Aurea'
White willow
Salix alba 'Golden Ness'
Silver willow, Golden silver willow