Salix aegyptiaca
musk willow
A bushy shrub or small tree with red-purple shoots and oblong, dark green leaves up to 15cm long. Fragrant, silvery, male and female catkins are borne on separate trees in late winter or early spring, before the leaves open. Male catkins are up to 4cm long with bright yellow anthers; female catkins up to 8cm long
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | Grey Silver Yellow | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Purple | Green | ||
| Winter | Green Purple | Grey Silver Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- SW to C Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any deep, moist soil in full sun
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
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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