Also known as Willow · 831 gardener saves
Salix: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Salix, the genus most gardeners know as willow. We track 14 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Salix varieties
Of 14 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDappled Willow
Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki'
#2 most savedBlack Willow
Salix nigra
#3 most savedFlamingo Dappled Willow
Salix integra 'Flamingo'
Weeping Willow
Salix x sepulcralis 'Mix'
White Willow
Salix alba
Corkscrew Willow
Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa'
Coral Bark Willow
Salix alba 'Britzensis'
Crack Willow
Salix x fragilis
Rosemary Willow
Salix eleagnos
Golden Willow
Salix alba 'Golden Ness'
Dwarf Arctic Willow
Salix purpurea 'Nana'
Sageleaf Willow
Salix candida 'Iceberg Alley'
Browse all 14 Salix varieties →
How to grow Salix
What the Salix varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Salix year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune hard after flowering to encourage new stems for next year's catkins.
- PropagateJanuary, February, October and November64% of varieties
Take hardwood or softwood cuttings; they root very easily in water or moist soil.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October64% of varieties
Plant bare root or container stock during dormancy.
- Check for PestsApril–July50% of varieties
Monitor for aphids and scale, especially on tender new shoots.
Do
- Prune in late winter to maintain shape
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch annually to conserve moisture
- Provide plenty of moisture; this plant loves wet feet.
- Plant in full sun for the most vigorous growth and best catkin production.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don't plant in dry, sandy soil.
- Avoid planting near septic systems or water lines, as the roots are water-seeking.
What goes wrong with Salix
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Small insects clustered on new growth and stems. | A strong spray of water can dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap for larger infestations. Encourage natural predators. |
| Caterpillars | Chewed leaves and webbing | Handpick or use Bacillus thuringiensis |
| Willow Leaf Beetle | Adults and larvae chew holes in leaves, sometimes skeletonizing them. | Hand-pick if infestation is small. Apply spinosad or other approved insecticides for heavy damage. |
| Borers | Wilting branches, sawdust-like frass | Use organic insecticides and remove affected wood |
| Canker | Sunken, dead areas on stems and branches, which can girdle and kill them. | Prune out and destroy infected branches well below the canker. Keep the plant vigorous through proper care. |
| Crown Gall | Large, woody, tumor-like growths at the soil line or on roots. | There is no cure. Remove and destroy the infected plant. Do not replant willows or other susceptible plants in the same spot. |
| Leaf rust | Orange or brown pustules on leaves | Apply copper-based fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Salix
Cuttings
- Select healthy, semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 6-8 inch segments and remove lower leaves.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil or water for rooting.
- Maintain humidity and indirect light for 6 weeks.
Hardwood Cuttings
- Take 12-inch cuttings from dormant stems in late winter.
- Simply push the cuttings about 6 inches deep into moist garden soil.
- They will root and leaf out in the spring.
- Alternatively, place cuttings in a vase of water until roots form.
Salix questions
How many types of Salix are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Salix varieties. The most popular — ranked by 831 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Salix grow in?
Across its varieties, Salix covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Salix bloom?
Most Salix varieties bloom in early spring, mid-spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Salix should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Salix shows up in
Related genera
Design with Salix in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
