Salix alpina
A dwarf shrub, with thin, creeping stems and small, elliptic, glossy green leaves that are flushed bronze when young. Small, upright, reddish-purple catkins are produced alongside the new leaves in spring
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Purple | Green Bronze | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Trailing
- 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
Thrives in well drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Ideal for a rock garden
Propagation
Propagate from semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
No pruning required
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, rust diseases, crown gall, honey fungus, root rot, silver leaf, and tar spot
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