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AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:
This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.
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Other common names black willow
Synonyms Salix 'Kuroyanagi' Salix 'Kuro-me'
Salix 'Kurome' Salix 'Melanostachys' Salix 'Kureneko' Salix kuru-yanagi Salix gracilistyla var. melanostachys Salix melanostachys
Family Salicaceae
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
Details 'Melanostachys' is a bushy shrub to 3m tall, with oval, glossy leaves that are grey-hairy when young; showy black catkins open in early spring and have orange-red anthers that turn yellow as they mature
Foliage Deciduous
Habit Bushy
Hardiness
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H5
Full Sun
Aspect South-facing or West-facing
Exposure Exposed or Sheltered
Clay
Loam
Sand
MoistureMoist but well-drained
SoilClay, Loam, Sand
pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Ultimate height 2.5-4 metres
Ultimate spread 2.5-4 metres
Time to ultimate height 5-10 years
Cultivation Grow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid shallow chalk soil
Propagation Root softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Cottage & Informal Garden
Pruning Pruning group 7, every 1-3 years in March for coloured winter shoots
Pests Aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow scale may problematic
Diseases Willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust are possible problems
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.