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Salix daphnoides
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

violet willow

An initially upright, later spreading tree. The young shoots are dark purple with a silvery bloom in winter. Silky, grey catkins up to 4cm long are produced in late winter/early spring

Other common names
European violet willow
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Grey Silver Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Purple Yellow Green
Winter Purple Grey Silver Grey Silver
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 C Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in any reasonable soil; can be grown as a tree or as a shrub for winter stems

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
Pruning

Pruning group 1 if grown as a tree, pruning group 7 if grown for winter stems

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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