Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia

RHS Plant Profile

rusty sallow

Synonyms

Salix atrocinerea
Salix cinerea subsp. atrocinerea

Shrubs Trees

A deciduous tree to 10m tall, found in damp places. Twigs are yellow and red when young, bark attractively fissured in diamond patterns when mature. Elongated oval shaped leaves with a grey sheen. Round, silvery male catkins with yellow pollen and female green catkins are borne on separate trees

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Salicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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
Plant Range: Europe, S Russia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any deep moist well-drained soil in full sun. Good for natural settings, such as meadow and stream side gardens. Foliage provides a food source for moth and butterfly caterpillar species. Catkins provide an early pollen source for bees

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings or by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles and sawflies

Diseases

May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, scab, canker, honey fungus and rust