Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' (m)

RHS Plant Profile
Kilmarnock willow

Other common names

Kilmarnock weeping willow, weeping great willow

Synonyms

Salix caprea 'Pendula'
Salix caprea var. pendula

Plants for pollinators
Trees

A stiffly pendulous or weeping, usually top-grafted, small tree to 2.5 or 3m tall, with yellowish branches, ovate leaves, and large grey catkins with yellow anthers opening before the leaves

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–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
Pendulous weeping
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, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Very compact form, ideal for smaller gardens

Propagation

Propagate by top grafting to create a small weeping tree

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

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