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ShrubsAlpine Rockery

Salix retusa

A low-growing deciduous alpine shrub, with creeping stems that root at the nodes, and small, oval to oblong glossy green leaves. Small, upright, silvery catkins are produced alongside the leaves in spring

Synonyms
Salix apoda misapplied
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Salicaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming, Trailing
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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid shallow chalk soil

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or 7

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, willow leaf beetle, sawflies and willow scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust diseases

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