Salix alba var. sericea
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
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
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
- 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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