creeping willow

Creeping willow (Salix repens 'Iona') should be watered deeply and thoroughly every 2-3 days for the first 2 weeks of growth. After that, it should be watered 1-2 times a week, depending on the level of humidity and amount of rainfall. This plant should not be allowed to dry out too much, but it can tolerate short periods of drought. When watering, make sure to saturate the soil and consider adding a layer of mulch to help keep the soil moist and cool. Be sure to water at soil level rather than leaves to avoid leaf spots.

Creeping willow (Salix repens 'Iona') grows best in full sun to partial shade with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, it can tolerate some shade during mid-day when temperatures peak. The plant does not need any special soil and prefers well drained soils. It can also tolerate some slight to moderate drought when established. To ensure optimal growth and good leaf color, it is best to water twice weekly during the growing season and less frequently during winter dormant months.

The best time for pruning a Creeping Willow (Salix repens 'Iona') is in the late winter or early spring. It may also be beneficial to prune the plant in the summer if the growth has become overly dense. For overall maintenance, remove any crossing, damaged, or diseased branches during the early spring. To keep a neat shape, prune back overgrown branches to about 3-4 inches in length (about 20% of the total height). In addition, any dead, broken, or diseased branches should also be removed throughout the year. Pruning should be done with extreme care as the plant does not recover from severe pruning.