Willows for colourful winter stems

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.

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.

They will not grow well in dry, shallow, chalky soils or deep shade.

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.