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Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' (m)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Kilmarnock willow

A stiffly pendulous or weeping, usually top-grafted, small tree to 2.5 or 3m tall, with yellowish branches, ovate leaves, and large grey catkins with yellow anthers opening before the leaves

Other common names
Kilmarnock weeping willow
weeping great willow
Synonyms
Salix caprea 'Pendula'
Salix caprea var. pendula
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Salicaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Pendulous weeping
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Very compact form, ideal for smaller gardens

Propagation

Propagate by top grafting to create a small weeping tree

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, scab, canker, honey fungus and rust

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