Introducing...
Willows for colourful winter stems
Botanical name: Salix
Common name: willow
Some willows produce vibrant young stems in various colours, providing an eye-catching winter spectacle. Hard pruning (coppicing or pollarding) helps to maximise the display and restrict their size.
Looks
After leaf fall in autumn, the young stems are revealed as scarlet-orange, bright yellow, deep purple or acid green. If hard pruned, these shrubs send new whippy growth skywards, creating a dense thicket of colourful stems, 1.2–2m (4–6ft) tall. The leaves vary from silvery-grey to bright or dark green.
Likes
These willows grow best in any well-drained but moisture-retentive (or even wet) soil. They prefer full sun, which also helps to make the stem colour more vibrant.
Dislikes
They will not grow well in dry, shallow, chalky soils or deep shade.
Did you know?
To keep these vigorous willows within bounds and get the best winter stem colour, cut off all the stems (coppice) at 5cm (2in) above ground in early spring. Alternatively, prune back to the top of a trunk (pollard) at a height of your choosing.
Growing guide
How to grow willows for colourful winter stems
All the information you'll need to grow and care for willows with colourful stems in your garden.
Winter stem colour willows we recommend
Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' (m)
coral bark willow
- Higher than 12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Salix acutifolia 'Blue Streak' (m)
willow 'Blue Streak'
- 8–12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Salix alba var. vitellina 'Yelverton'
golden willow 'Yelverton'
- Higher than 12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' (m)
coral bark willow
- Higher than 12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Salix acutifolia 'Blue Streak' (m)
willow 'Blue Streak'
- 8–12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Salix alba var. vitellina 'Yelverton'
golden willow 'Yelverton'
- Higher than 12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Useful advice
Cobnuts and filberts
Shrubs: smaller for year round interest
Plants for winter interest
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