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Salix exigua
  • RHS AGM

coyote willow

S. exigua is a suckering shrub forming a thicket of slender stems bearing narrowly lance-shaped to linear leaves to 10cm long, silvery when young, later grey-green

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Grey Silver
Summer Grey Silver Green
Autumn Grey Silver Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Salicaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
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
Canada to Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade; dislikes shallow chalk soils but grows well on sandy soils

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from spring to summer or hardwood cuttings from autumn to late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
  • Banks and slopes
Pruning

Pruning group 1

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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