Introducing...

Dwarf and rock garden willows

Botanical name: Salix

Common name: willow

Having evolved to withstand strong winds and low temperatures, these willows are usually compact and slow growing. They produce attractive fluffy catkins in spring, and are ideal for rock gardens, large troughs or ground cover.

Looks

These are robust shrubs, compact, upright or ground hugging, and densely covered with often rough-textured leaves. Upright forms can have attractively gnarled branches, forming vase-shaped plants, while other are mat-forming. They produce ornamental fluffy catkins in late winter or spring that are a magnet for bees.

Likes

Dwarf and alpine willows need very free-draining soil in full sun. They are tolerant of cold, windswept sites. You can grow most of them in containers, as long as they have good drainage.

Dislikes

Dwarf willows don’t grow well in heavy soil or excessively wet conditions. They also dislike deep shade.

Did you know?

These willows react to their environment – staying low and compact on exposed sites with poor soil, but becoming more lush and bushy in moist, fertile ground.