Salix arbuscula
mountain willow
A dwarf deciduous shrub, with a spreading habit and small, bright glossy green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Female plants produce yellow catkins with the foliage in May or June; catkins on male plants are smaller and brown with red anthers
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Brown Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Brown Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe to C Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates poor soils but avoid shallow chalk
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Ground cover
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, willow leaf beetle, sawflies and willow scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust diseases
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