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Salix purpurea
  • 911±¬ÁÏ Plants for pollinators

purple willow

A spreading shrub or small tree to 5m, with arching purplish shoots bearing narrowly oblong, blue-green leaves and slender silvery catkins on bare shoots in early spring

Other common names
bitter willow
purple osier
see morebasket willow
Synonyms
Salix purpurea 'Helix'
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, ±Ê´Ç´Ç°ù±ô²â–d°ù²¹¾±²Ô±ð»å
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Blue Green
Summer Blue Green Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or ·¡²¹²õ³Ù–f²¹³¦¾±²Ô²µ

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Salicaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
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

Grow in any deep moist well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes shallow chalk soils

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens
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

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