Salix nivalis
A low-growing shrub, with prostrate stems that root along the length to form loose, open mats. Leaves are oval to rounded, and glossy dark green with conspicuous veins and whitish undersides. Reddish-pink catkins are produced in summer, and leaves turn shades of yellow, red and bronze in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Pink Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical 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
Thrives in cooler regions, in moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun or part shade
Propagation
Propagate by division, by softwood cuttings in early summer or by hardwood cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
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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