Creeping Willow
Salix repens 'var. argentea'
Height: 18 inches
Spread: 6 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Description:
A very different kind of willow, this is a creeping, trailing shrub that spreads to fill in an area, features showy silvery catkins that mature to yellow along the bare stems in early spring; particularly effective trailing over walls or around rocks
Ornamental Features
Creeping Willow features unusual yellow catkins along the branches in early spring, which emerge from distinctive silver flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive grayish green deciduous foliage. The small narrow leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall colour. The gold stems are very effective and add winter interest.
Landscape Attributes
Creeping Willow is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Spreading
Creeping Willow is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
Planting & Growing
Creeping Willow will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
