Salix alba 'Golden Ness'

RHS Plant Profile
white willow 'Golden Ness'
white willow 'Golden Ness' RHS

Synonyms

Salix alba 'Ness'

Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Shrubs Trees

A golden-stemmed cultivar of a vigorous species that can be kept in check by coppicing. Coppicing reduces it to shrub of 2m in height and has the added bonus of producing more colourful stems for winter display

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

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

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

Position

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

Suitable for damp places especially. Position to highlight winter sun on stems

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 7. Suitable for coppicing in early spring

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