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Salix alba var. sericea
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

silver willow

A bushy medium-sized deciduous tree with striking, silvery-grey, narrow-lanceolate leaves up to 10cm in length. Insignificant, slender, drooping yellow catkins in spring

Synonyms
Salix alba 'Regalis'
Salix alba 'Sericea'
see moreSalix alba 'Splendens'
Salix alba f. argentea
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Grey Silver
Summer Grey Silver
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical 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
Europe Africa Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile deep soil in full sun. Very fast growing

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

Pruning group 1. Suitable for hard pruning to rejuvenate or pollarding

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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