Salix 'Blue Streak'

RHS Plant Profile
willow 'Blue Streak'
Shrubs

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid shallow chalk soil

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

pruning group 7, every two or three years in March, for best show of catkins

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust