Salix eriocephala

RHS Plant Profile
heart-leaved willow

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Other common names

heart-leaved willow

Synonyms

Salix missouriensis, Salix rigida

Plants for pollinators
Shrubs Trees

A species of fast-growing willow, forming a shrub or small, dense, spreading multi-stemmed tree, to around 4m to 6m in height, with dark grey, scaly bark and thick, lance-shaped green foliage, hairy on the undersides. Silky, greenish-yellow catkins appear in early spring, prior to the leaves. A source of nectar for early pollinators

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Salicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, 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 deep, moist, humus-rich soil in full sun to part shade. Will not grow well in full shade. Ideal for areas with poor drainage or prone to flooding

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings from winter to early spring, whilst tree is dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

pruning group 7; prune in late winter to early spring to manage growth and keep plants healthy. Responds to coppicing well to encourage new growth and manage size. Avoid pruning in summer to prevent sap from bleeding

Pests

May be susceptible to large willow bark aphid, willow leaf beetle, sawfly and willow midge gall

Diseases

May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, willow scab and black canker