This genus consists of a wide range of Species, varying in size from small alpine shrubs to large growing trees up to 60m. Many of the species have attractive properties and are suitable for the smaller garden. The varieties with coloured stems are particularly suitable for wet areas and can be cut back each spring to promote the new growth and control the size.
Salix alba (White Willow)
Large growing tree with slender leaves green on the upper side and white hairs on the underside giving it a silvery appearance. Salix alba is a fast growing tree but if required, the size can be maintained by pollarding or coppicing. This is widely practised commercially with the flexible young stems then often used for basket making and weaving. White Willow will grow well in most well drained to wet soils, in a sunny spot.
Ultimate height 25m (80ft), Spread 20m (65ft).
Salix alba Caerulea (Cricket Bat Willow)
The tree used for the traditional cricket bat. An upright tree with a conical crown, it has attractive, narrow silvery leaves on long stems that hang from the main branches. In autumn, the leaves turn a slightly sooty but still rich yellow. Cricket Bat Willows have male and female trees, both with quite small yellow catkins. These are good for bees, as they appear in mid spring when the population of the hives is increasing.
Ultimate height 25m (80ft), Spread 15m (48ft).
Salix alba Sericea (Silver Willow)
With narrow, silvery leaves, this is a lovely tree or shrub suitable for the small garden. When cut back in the spring it produces shoots with silvery hairs and leaves with silvery hairs on both sides to give the shrub the look of a silvery mound. It can be left to grow to a medium sized tree, will grow on dry as well as wet sites.
Ultimate height 15m (48ft), Spread 10m (30ft).
Salix alba Tristis (Golden Weeping Willow)
Fast growing weeping willow with bright green to yellow-green, lanceolate leaves and the branches being long and graceful, yellow when young. The narrow leaves are 4in long and ½in wide with finely toothed points. Leaves are early to flush in the spring and slow to fall in autumn, the fantastic golden stems react well to severe crown pruning allowing the branchlets to dip gracefully to the ground. Slim female catkins appear in early spring. It does well in most soil types but particularly in damp sites.
Ultimate height 30m (48ft), Spread 15m (48ft).
Salix alba Britzensis (Red Twigged Willow)
This colourful cultivar of willow is a wonderful addition to the winter garden. As it is the new shoots which are most colourful it is good to cut back the entire crown each spring in early April. Pollarding encourages new growth to emerge giving the tree a spectacular look, both in colour and shape.
Ultimate height 30m (48ft), Spread 15m (48ft).
Salix caprea (Goat Willow)
Also know as Sallow or Pussy Willow, the Goat Willow is a common plant all over Britain. Because its flowers are amongst the earliest in the year to appear it provides a valuable food source for foraging bees. The odd one out amongst willows, it has broad leaves, rather than the familiar narrow ones, and although it grows well in wet situations, it performs well in dry conditions too.
Ultimate height 10m (33ft), Spread 5m (18ft).
Salix daphnoides (Violet Willow)
The foliage of the Violet Willow is bright green and has a glossy, waxy coating. The leaf shape is similar to most willows, being slender and pointed and turn a golden yellow in the autumn time. The catkins appear in the spring time and contrast markedly with the bright purple-violet stems.
Ultimate height 11m (35ft), Spread 7m (24ft).
Salix exigua (Coyote Willow)
hardy deciduous shrub with long, narrow leaves which appear almost silvery in spring, as when they first emerge they are covered in a fine downy hair which makes them feel silky to the touch. Spring also brings catkins which hang down from the branches, up to 6cm (2″) long appearing a yellow/grey colour. The leaves of Salix exigue turn a grey green as they mature and form a dense thicket of growth which is suitable for hedging or a garden screen.
Ultimate height 10m (33ft), Spread 5m (18ft).
Salix fragilis (Crack Willow)
The slender, oval leaves are similar to those of the white willow, being long and slender, dark green above and light green below. However the leaves of the crack willow are shorter than those of the white willow, and they do not have a felty covering of fine, silky white hairs on the underside. The crack willow is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate trees, in May. The male catkins are yellow, while the female catkins are green.
Ultimate height 25m (80ft), Spread 15m (48ft).
Salix irrorata (Blue Stemmed Willow)
A fast growing, deciduous shrub that’s grown mainly for it’s striking purple with a white bloom stem colour, catkins and foliage. Like most other Willow it needs moist soil.
It will need pruning to produce the young purple stems rather than have a large shrub.
Ultimate height 3m (10ft), Spread 2m (6ft).
Salix Pentandra (Bay Willow)
Bay willow was named because of the similarity of its leaves to the bay tree. The bark is dark grey in colour, with scaly, crossing ridges. Twigs are green-brown, glossy and smooth. The oval leaves are thick, very glossy and dark green, 5-12cm x 2-5cm, with finely serrated margins. Male and female flowers are found on separate plants, in late spring, after the leaves. Male catkins are yellow and female catkins are greenish.
Ultimate height 25m (80ft), Spread 15m (48ft).
Salix rubens Basfordiana (Yellow Twigged Willow)
This is a deciduous, spreading tree with bright orange-yellow young shoots in winter. Leaves are grey-green when young, turning to glossy, bright green in mid summer. In early spring, there are yellow-green catkins. Can be used with Salix vitellina Britzensis in group planting for winter effect. Best if cut down each spring to keep stem colours.
Ultimate height 25m (80ft), Spread 15m (48ft).
Planting Guide
For further details and pricing, please download our .PDF catalogue using the link below:-
Landford Catalogue 2019.pdf (.PDF file, 259 KB)