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Salix purpurea 'Nancy Saunders' (f)
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

willow 'Nancy Saunders'

A compact, deciduous shrub to around 200cm in height, with narrow silvery blue-green foliage on red stems. Small fluffy, silvery catkins appear in late winter to early spring

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Grey Silver Grey Silver Blue Green
Summer Red Grey Silver Blue Green
Autumn Red Grey Silver Blue Green
Winter Red Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Salicaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
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 any deep moist well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes shallow chalk soils. Good for moist or damp areas of the garden

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1. Responds well to coppicing if you wish to keep it smaller and more compact

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles and sawflies

Diseases

May be susceptible to willow anthracnose diseases and a rust

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