silver willow

Silver willow (Salix alba var. sericea) prefers moist soil. It should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil begins to dry but it is important to not overwater it. On average, the plant should receive 1–2 inches of water per week spread out over 2 to 3 watering sessions. Water the plant slowly and deeply to allow the moisture to saturate the soil and reach the roots. During times of extreme heat or drought, additional watering may be necessary.

Silver willow (Salix alba var. sericea) likes full sunlight in cooler climates and partial shade in hotter regions. It does best in well-draining soil and will often die from root rot in overly wet situations. Silver willow prefers average watering but needs more regularly during the hottest, driest parts of the year. Sunlight for this plant species should be approximately 5 to 6 hours per day but not necessarily consecutively. Too much sunlight can scorch the foliage, so it is best to provide shade from the midday sun when temperatures are high.

Silver willow should be pruned in late winter or early spring before the new growth appears. This allows for the pruning cuts to heal quickly without causing unnecessary stress to the plant. The exact amount of pruning should be dependent on the plant's size and shape and any specific goals for the desired look. Generally it is recommended to prune any weak or crossing branches, as well as any suckers that are growing from the base of the trunk. If the plant is being groomed for a certain shape, no more than 1 third of the plant should be removed.