Species white willow

white willow

Salix alba

The white willow, or Salix alba, is a beautiful and popular deciduous tree found across much of Europe and North America. It has a slender and graceful trunk, with pendulous branches that can form a striking dome or umbrella shape. Its leaves are long and slender, silvery-green when young, and dark green when mature. Its bark is smooth and gray, often developing striking diamond-shaped fissures with age. Its flowers are small and scraggly, but its catkins create dramatic curved shapes during late winter, setting the stage for glorious foliage by spring.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation,Air Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow anthers (male); Green (female) Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

High

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water white willow plants deeply and thoroughly with lukewarm water every 7 to 10 days in the spring and summer. During the fall and winter, reduce the amount of watering and water only when the soil is bone-dry. If the plants are planted in containers, be sure to check the soil daily and water when the top inch or 2 of soil feels dry to the touch.

sunlight

White willow (Salix alba) is a species of deciduous tree native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. White willow needs plenty of sunlight to thrive, and should receive full sun for at least 4 to 6 hours a day. In areas with hot summers, afternoon shade is recommended to protect the tree's delicate foliage from scorching. During the growing season, which is generally from April to September, white willow can absorb sunlight all day without any adverse effects. In areas with cold winters, it is best to provide at least 6 hours of light per day or more to ensure proper growth.

pruning

White willow should be pruned in the early summer (June) to manage its size. Prune about 25% of the stems and branches, making sure to remove dead and diseased wood while avoiding large cuts. This will promote the plant’s development and keep it from becoming overgrown. It is important to prune white willow just before the tree begins to bud in the summer. This will help to ensure healthy new growth for the season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

White willow typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map