Salix babylonica 'Crispa'

RHS Plant Profile
weeping willow 'Crispa'
weeping willow 'Crispa' RHS

Synonyms

Salix babylonica 'Annularis'
Salix alba 'Annularis'
Salix babylonica var. crispa

Plants for pollinators
Trees

A medium-sized, deciduous tree of upright, open habit with narrow, spirally-curled, green leaves that are twisted around the straight stems. Small, yellowish catkins are borne in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 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 West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Salicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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

Grow in moderately fertile deep soil in full sun

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Suitable for hard pruning to rejuvenate or for pollarding

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