Salix alba
white willow
S. alba is a tree, up to 25m high, with dark grey furrowed bark. Its long, narrow pointed leaves, up to 10cm long, are dull green above, blue-green beneath, and silky, so that they appear silvery-white at a distance; catkins, 4-6cm long, appear with the leaves in spring
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- 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 full sun in moist or wet soil; avoid planting near buildings because its roots take up a lot of water from a wide area
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter; may also be propagated by large sets, up to 3.5m long and 2-3cm thick
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
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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