Salix alba

Salix alba, more commonly referred to as white willow, is a large deciduous tree native to western and central Asia and Europe.  Deep green, blade-like leaves grow like feathers on thin, drooping stems, with fine, silky white hairs on their undersides.  Mature white willow trees have deeply-fissured, greyish-brown bark with a very storied history in its ability to provide the world with chemical compounds used to make important pharmaceuticals, including aspirin.  The white willow also produces fuzzy catkins that are usually all male or female on a single tree, where the males have tiny flowers with yellow anthers and the females have greenish blooms.  When choosing to grow white willow, take into account the significant level of labor required to keep them healthy and presentable, as well as prevent them from causing damage with their pervasive roots.  Additionally, white willows have a shorter life span of only a little over 20 years and may not be considered worth the effort outside of their native environments.  

Provide white willow with a location that receives copious amounts of bright, direct sunshine for healthy growth, and avoid shady areas.  Rich, well-draining soil is ideal for growing white willow, with pH being a non-factor in most cases.  Regular waterings that keep the soil consistently moist are probably the most important factor in maintaining a healthy white willow tree.  Planting where water naturally passes over or gravitates to is highly recommended, with waterside areas being highly suitable.  White willow trees do not tolerate heat well and should be kept within USDA zones 3-8, or their survival will be very unlikely.  Do not fertilize white willow, as they are notoriously easily damaged on account of their weak wood, which is exacerbated by fertilizing.  Choosing a hardy variety of white willow can help mitigate the challenges the straight species suffers from.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water generously when surface of mix is dry.

Salix Alba

Salix alba

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