Salix alba var. caerulea
cricket-bat willow
A large deciduous tree, with dark grey furrowed bark, upright branches and narrow, blue-green leaves. Slender catkins are produced alongside the new leaves in spring. Wood from this tree was traditionally used to make cricket bats
Other common names
Leicester willowBuy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | Green Blue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Blue | |||
| Autumn | Green Blue Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- 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
Thrives in deep, moisture retentive soil, ideally in full sun. Will tolerate some waterlogging, but dislikes shallow chalk
Propagation
Propagate from hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, gall mites, flea beetles, sawfly larvae, and willow scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, watermark disease, willow heart rot, rust diseases, crown gall, honey fungus, root rot, silver leaf, and tar spot
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