Salix daphnoides
violet willow
An initially upright, later spreading tree. The young shoots are dark purple with a silvery bloom in winter. Silky, grey catkins up to 4cm long are produced in late winter/early spring
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Grey Silver | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Yellow Green | ||
| Winter | Purple Grey Silver | Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe C Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in any reasonable soil; can be grown as a tree or as a shrub for winter stems
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
Pruning group 1 if grown as a tree, pruning group 7 if grown for winter stems
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
Get involved
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