Salix × sepulcralis 'Caradoc'

RHS Plant Profile
weeping willow 'Caradoc'

Synonyms

Salix babylonica var. pekinensis 'Caradoc'
Salix matsudana tortuosa 'Caradoc'

Shrubs Trees

A deciduous shrub or small tree with twisted shoots and leaves. The leaves are long and narrow, green at first then turning yellow in autumn. The bare young stems are dark yellow-gold in winter and it has small white catkins in early spring. The stems can be cut for floristry

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Salicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming, Columnar upright, Suckering, 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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile moisture-retentive soil, even waterlogged for short periods. Beside water is ideal.

Propagation

Propagate from hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Cut flowers
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 7 for brighter coloured stems and keeping the shrub shorter.

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