Need a tinge of elegance , summit , or a stunning focal level to liven up up your garden ? A willow tree is the perfect solvent .
Willows have a mickle going for them . They are decidedly beautiful and have various singular characteristics that make them a worthy gain to any garden .
In this blog mail service , we ’ll unveil 23 types of willow trees perfect for UK gardens , from the Hellenic ashen willow to the strange but gorgeous corkscrew willow . Whether you require striking height , middle - catching foliation , or beautiful catkins , we ’ve make you covered .
Types of Willow Trees
There are over 400 types of willow Tree and shrubs . However , some are more suitable for our colder climate than others . permit ’s explore 19 types of willow tree tree diagram everlasting for the UK garden without further ado !
1. White Willow (Salix alba)
White willow is one of the most common willow varieties in the UK . It does n’t take long to name why this variety is so pop among us Brits – it ’s not only the largest of the whole species – growing up to 25 m tall – but it ’s also a native tree , making it hardy to the UK clime .
If you ’re unsure what this variety looks like , keep an oculus out for its leaf . The white willow ’s leave are hairy when the tree diagram is vernal , but as it arrest older , the acme of the leaves are relatively hairless , but the undersides are still covered !
2. Goat Willow (Salix Caprea)
Creating a container garden filled with interesting flora , shrubs and tree ? If this is the case , the stooge willow is unadulterated for you .
The stooge willow tree is often colloquially cite to as “ pussy willow tree ” as the male catkin it produces resemble a cat ’s paw . These ament come out just before it sprouts spring leaves , commonly in March or April .
Interestingly , you could also get a Capricorn willow with a gadget . The laughingstock willow ‘ Pendula ’ is almost identical to the goat willow in pure coinage form . However , its arm weep , giving it an extra edge of interest in a lot or container !
3. Osier Willow (Salix Viminalis)
The osier willow is also ordinarily known as the basket willow due to its unique flexibleness . This quality makes it ideal for hoop weaving as well as willow social organization and sculpture .
I will always remember the beautiful willow tree body structure on the field of battle of my primary schooltime in Cambridgeshire – we used to huddle together within them and recreate all sorts of fun games !
In stark contrast to my primary school ( I hope ! ) , this beautiful , broadleaf tree is often grown in waste ground and contaminated area , as the base absorb heavy metal , effectively clean up the soil !
4. Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica)
If you ’re a willow - lover , you have in all likelihood heard of the weeping willow tree . However , despite what most the great unwashed think , this variety is n’t a UK native ! It originates from the dry regions of northern China .
The weeping willow tree has a fertile history , as it has been cultivate throughout Asia and swap along the Silk Road . But in the UK , you ’ll often find its branches arching over lakes or river .
If you ca n’t get enough of the crying willow and want flora to pair off it with , sample a mophead hydrangea like the ‘ King George ’ assortment or an astilbe like ‘ Younique Carmine . ’
5. Weeping Golden Willow (Salix Chrysocoma)
The weeping golden willow is a cross between the white willow and weep willow varieties , taking the white willow tree ’s hardiness and longevity and combining it with the weeping willow tree ’s arching substance abuse .
This tree does exactly what its name hint – its branch have a elegant tears habit and show off brilliant , golden - yellow foliage . This makes it highly unique from many other willow tree miscellanea , which tend to possess green leaves .
This plant ’s vibrance does n’t end at its leaf . In May and April , the cry golden willow produces bright yellowed catkin that shine beautifully over a watercourse , lake , or river .
6. Corkscrew Willow (Salix Matsudana Tortuosa)
Called the corkscrew willow for a reason , this tree is a cultivar created to accentuate its curling growth pattern . Hence , the best way to place the corkscrew willow tree is to merely await at its branches .
The corkscrew willow is best for wintertime gardens , as its yellow leaves dribble in the autumn , allowing you to see the true spectacle that is its misrepresented bottle screw offshoot .
Unfortunately , the corkscrew willow ’s unique appearance comes at a monetary value . This tree only lives for 15 – 20 years and is highly susceptible to insect infestations .
7. Blue-Stem Willow (Salix Irrorata)
The blue - stem willow is the first shrub on the list . This plant life produce 2.5 metres tall and 4 metres broad in optimal experimental condition , which include full or partial sun and moist , well - drained filth .
As you may have guessed from its name , when stem first sprout from the blue - theme willow , they ’re uniquely coloured – the tone varies from blue to lavender . If you ’re a nurseryman who make out a minute of mystery , then you ’ll likely adore wait to see what shadow your blue - radical willow turns out to be !
This is a relatively small willow variety that grows slowly , making it stark for smaller garden or a small spot in a larger garden .
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8. Crack Willow (Salix Fragilis)
hear the crack willow if full-strength plants are n’t really your affair . The go willow tree is known for the cracking sound it makes when its branch crack and split . And while the auditory sensation is pleasant , it ’s not the best tree to add to your garden if you prefer everything to be groovy and kempt .
Despite this tree ’s unkempt appearance , the caterpillars simply hump it ! Several cat of moth species , like the red underwing and puss moth , ca n’t get enough of the crack willow tree . Plus , it makes an idealistic nesting site for birds .
9. Flamingo Willow (Salix Integra ‘Hakuro-Nishiki’)
The flamingo willow is a nanus tree loved for its vibrancy in spring . Usually possessing green foliage in autumn and just coral - emblazon stems in wintertime , the flamingo willow erupts in spring , adding colorful pink tips to its lush young foliage .
You ’ll most often find the flamingo willow tree as a lollipop tree diagram in local garden gist in the UK . This sculpted shape make it one of the best for small gardens or to flank a front threshold .
While this plant is n’t a British aborigine , it is extremely intrepid , allow it to cope with the harsh UK winters .
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10. Purple Willow (Salix Purpurea)
The royal willow is another willow tree shrub . This one has a plump , rounded form and arch stanch with a slight violet chromaticity , give it its name !
If you ’re conceive of growing the purple willow tree , you ’ll need to find a moist bit that gets full Dominicus – not an easy combination , I make love ! Luckily , the purple willow tree does n’t heed the soil eccentric it sits in – whether your garden has chalky or shallow soil , the royal willow does n’t mind ! It also does n’t have a preference over well - drain soil or soil with misfortunate drainage , so long as it remains moist !
11. Yellow Willow (Salix Lutea)
The yellow willow is a beautiful plus to any UK garden , but let ’s get one thing direct – it ’s not a native . It ’s actually aboriginal to North America , most specifically central Canada and areas in western and central US .
Like most willows , the yellow willow loves wetter home ground , such as beside a lake , stream , or river . However , they also make an excellent innate hedging or screen . only repeatedly chop it down , and this will encourage it to get in a bushy organization rather than as long , lank offset .
12. Eared Willow (Salix Aurita)
The eared willow is interesting in that it is a pioneer species – a type of willow tree that tends to be the first to colonise arid , barren spaces or those that have been latterly commove and so have less biodiversity .
As you’re able to imagine from this , the eared willow tree is exceptionally hardy . Therefore , it will produce happily in most space . However , if you want it to reach its full potential ( 3 metre tall and 20 cm wide ) , you ’ll call for to implant it in moist , slenderly acidic soil .
13. Scouler’s Willow (Salix Scouleriana)
The scouler ’s willow is a “ riparian species ” – this is special , as it has been specifically adjust to grow beside riverbanks , stream , lake , and other bodies of water due to its ability to assure erosion and prevent water runoff .
These qualities make the scouler ’s willow the unadulterated choice if your garden has a pool or stream or is prostrate to implosion therapy .
And the benefits of the scouler ’s willow do n’t finish there . It ’s also extremely valuable to wildlife , in particular butterfly stroke and bees , as it provide an essential nutrient source for them .
14. Peachleaf Willow (Salix Amygdaloides)
The peachleaf willow , also have a go at it as the almond foliage willow , is a North American native willow . This plant gained its name from its long , thin , unripe - yellowed leave of absence , which look similar to the foliage of peach and sweet almond trees . It ’s this calibre that helps to distinguish the peachleaf willow from other willow variety .
This is a small to intermediate - sized willow tree tree , but it still grows to a lofty 12 cadence magniloquent , so your garden may need to be on the bigger side for this one !
15. Narrowleaf Willow (Salix Exigua)
Although not as well - acknowledge as some of the other willow mixed bag on this list , the narrow - leaf willow deserves a spot in the top 23 . Why ? Because it is extremely adaptable , meaning you could mature it in your garden even if your lilliputian space is unwrap to rough consideration .
The narrow - folio willow will posture in virtually any soil type , not show a preference – it ’ll even quite jubilantly grow in sandlike or clay grunge .
Historically , the narrow - leaf willow was used for medicinal purposes . Native American tribes stripped the minute - folio willow of its bark to process wounds and exempt fever .
16. Bebb Willow (Salix Bebbiana)
The bebb willow can either be a deciduous shrub or small tree and typically grows between 1.5 and 7 metres tall . However , this industrial plant is native to Canada and the northern US , so it may not grow to such lofty heights over here in the UK .
The bebb willow typically shape a shaggy-haired shape with portion of leaves and dense branching . This character make it a hit among the local wildlife , as the bird expend it for protection and nesting situation .
17. Bay Willow (Salix Pentandra)
The bay willow tree is a tree full of mischief – not only does it look like a bay tree diagram , but it also reek like one too ! This makes it slick to separate between the two .
However , you could decipher between them by look at the willow ’s young leaves – these are gummy , whereas the old leaves are shiny . Plus , the bay willow produces catkins after its leaves which , of trend , the bay laurel tree does n’t do !
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18. Almond Willow (Salix Triandra)
The almond willow gains its vulgar name from the pleasant , almond - same odor this plant produces . Due to this caliber , as well as its utmost pliancy , the almond willow tree was traditionally used for seduce hoop , fence , and wickerwork .
This tree diagram is the perfect solution if you want a tree with an interesting coming into court in winter but with a longer lifespan than the corkscrew willow tree . The almond willow tree can hold up for up to 50 yr so long as you give it moist , well - drained land and localize it near a trunk of H2O .
19. Tea-Leaved Willow (Salix Phylicifolia)
Unlike many of the willows on this list , the tea - leaved willow tree most often takes shrub form . This willow is extremely hardy as it is known to farm anywhere with moist stain in its native region , northerly Europe .
The tea - leave willow is a catkin - make smorgasbord . These catkins not only look beautiful in a garden , but they wait on as a worthful food source at a time of class when food is scarce for wildlife . The little ejaculate contained within are perfect for seed - eating birds like Spinus tristis and siskins .
20. Shining Willow (Salix Lucida)
The shine willow ’s good calibre is doubtlessly its leaves . It produces shiny green leaves that are a calorie-free tad of green on the undersurface . When catch by the wind , these flitter around , producing a wavelet - like effect in the breeze .
But the shining willow is n’t just a visual delight . It also serves as an important master of ceremonies works for several butterfly species , particularly Admiral and Camberwell butterfly stroke , as well as Acadian Hairstreak butterflies in the UK .
21. Grey Willow (Salix Cinerea Subsp. Oleifolia)
A tad on the scruffy side but with bucket - fulls of allure , the grey-headed willow is a must - have willow tree mixture if you need a wildlife - rich garden .
Its beautiful , fuzzy catkins not only give pollinator an early reference of pollen , but the caterpillars simply adore its leave .
The grey willow is very similar in visual aspect to the common goat willow . However , you’re able to decipher between the two by looking at their parting . The butt willow has long , tenuous leaves , whereas the gray willow tree has oval - mould foliage with smooth-spoken undersides .
22. Creeping Willow (Salix Repens)
The creeping willow is somewhat different to all the others on this lean . We ’ve seen many Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrubs with a characteristic bushy appearance so far .
In stark demarcation , the crawl willow is a trailing push . It only reaches up to around 1 metre in peak , but it can disperse to around 2 metres wide .
This willow tree diverseness is low - criminal maintenance , making it the ideal option if you sometimes do n’t get time to get out into the garden . Simply place it in full sun , and let it do its matter .
23. Tea-Leaved Willow (Salix Phylicifolia)
This plant is native to the northerly cerebral hemisphere – you ’ll typically come up it arise in ditches , meadows , roadsides , and riversides .
The tea - leave willow tends to be a British godforsaken flora , but it is uncommitted as a garden plant , too . you could find it in certain garden centres and on-line industrial plant shops .
This tree has a long story of medicative usage , as it ’s conceive to have anti - incitive and antioxidant dimension . Therefore , it has often been used in shampoos , creams , and lotions .
Final Word on Types of Willow Trees
Willows are classical trees that you ’ll notice pop up all over the UK landscape painting . But with so many to select from , it can be unmanageable to know which variety to implant in your garden .
If you ’re all for custom , the white willow , goat willow , or weeping willow are the top pick for you . But if a focal point is what you require , try the bottle screw willow tree or flamingo willow tree , as these are sure to seize everyone ’s care !
If you ’ve make up one’s mind on the case of willow tree to buy but are unsure how to lop it , find the best tool for the occupation in ourBest Telescopic Tree Prunersarticle .
FAQs
What is the most common willow tree in the UK?
The goat willow tree , also know as the pussy willow or cracking sallow , is the most common willow species in the UK . It ’s a UK native that you will find propagate widely throughout the British Isles in hedgerows , woodlands , along riverside , and wetlands .
How do I identify a willow?
Willow trees and bush typically have long , thin , spear - shaped leave which are easily identifiable . Get up closemouthed and personal , and you ’ll notice how these farewell have an highly fine , serrate edge .
When it fare to how to name a willow tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in wintertime , it ’s all about the fix . Willow trees typically grow beside rivers and lakes , making them well-to-do to spot on a inhuman wintertime ’s day .
What is a small version of a willow tree?
Dwarf varieties of popular willow tree specie are available if you have a diminished garden or simply want a miniature tree diagram .
Some of the best small versions of willow tree trees are the nanus crying willow tree , the dwarf purple weeping willow , and the dwarf kilmarnock weeping willow . None of these varieties overstep 5 feet in tiptop .
Can you keep a willow tree small?
you could keep a staring willow species small by place it in a container and clip it back severely each yr in later winter or former outflow . A pruned willow tree will pass much of its energy create unexampled leaves , so it will not farm as much as it normally would .
What types of willow trees have catkins?
All willow Tree have catkins , as these are part of a willow ’s procreative social system . However , willow tree tree diagram can have unlike type of catkins . willow are dioecian , signify they have separate virile and female trees .
The male catkins contain stamens that produce pollen , while the female catkins check pistil that receive the pollen for fertilization . This separation permit for interbreeding - pollination between unlike willow tree trees , which is why there are over 400 varieties !
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