WILLOW TREE: VARIETIES, GROWING TIPS & CARE
Learn how to grow and use this versatile landscape plant
Weeping willow tree (Salix babylonica). Photo by: Rolf W / Shutterstock.
Willow (Salix) is a diverse group of trees and shrubs, with some 350 willow species native to cold and temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. These fast-growing moisture lovers are commonly found along stream banks, ponds, wetlands, and flood plains. Though they can be short-lived, willows have been cultivated and used by humans for thousands of years, for medicinal remedies, weaving, manufacturing, and ornamental value.
Willows can range from small shrubs to towering trees. Weeping willow has timeless appeal and classic elegance as a dramatic focal point along a stream or pond, while the decorative stems of pussy willows are popular in cut floral arrangements. When properly selected, sited, and grown, willows can be effectively used in the landscape. Here’s how to grow willow trees, along with the best varieties and how use them in your yard.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care & Pruning | Varieties | Landscaping Ideas
On this page:
- BASICS
- PLANTING WILLOW TREES
- WILLOW TREE CARE & PRUNING
- WILLOW TREE VARIETIES
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- LANDSCAPING IDEAS
WILLOW TREE BASICS
Botanical name:
Salix spp.
Common names:
Willow, with common names for different species
Plant type:
Deciduous tree or shrub
Zones:
2-9
Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade
Habit:
Upright spreading or weeping habit
Size:
4 to 80 feet tall, 4 to 70 feet wide
Bloom time:
Early spring
Flowers:
Most willows are dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. Male flowers produce pollen, while female flowers contain seeds. The small oblong flowers, known as catkins, emerge in early spring before the foliage. Catkins have a wooly texture, with silver, grey, white, black, pink, red, yellow, or chartreuse coloring. Pussy willows and other types are valued for the cut stems that are used in floral arrangements.
Foliage:
Rounded or slender pointed leaves have serrated edges, occurring in colors of green, blue-green, gold, or variegated. Fall color is yellow or yellow-green.
Branches:
Upright, weeping, straight, curved, or twisted branches and stems can be brown, black, red, purple, or yellow. Pussy willow and other types are cut when plants are in the bud stage for early-season arrangements. Stems can be easily rooted from cuttings. Young flexible branches are used for weaving to make baskets, wreaths, fencing, trellises, furniture, and other structures.
Catkins on a white willow tree (Salix alba). Photo by: juerginho / Shutterstock.
PLANTING WILLOW TREES
When to plant:
The best time to plant willow is during cooler months in spring or fall. Wait until all danger of frost is past. In fall, plant at least 6 weeks before your average first frost to allow roots to become established.
Where to plant:
Willow tree does best with at least 6 hours of full sun per day and damp, well-drained soil. Choose a site near a water source and well away from structures to avoid damage from willow tree roots. Allow enough room for the full mature size.
How to plant:
Loosen soil in the planting area and amend to improve drainage. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Remove plant from its container and tease out roots if potbound. Place in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water plants well. Plants can be mulched with a thin layer of bark or other organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
WILLOW CARE & PRUNING
Soil:
Willow trees are tolerant of a range of soils, performing best in amended well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-8.0.
Watering:
These plants are native to swamps, riverbanks, and other moist areas. When growing willow trees, provide regular water. Plants don’t like to dry out. Some varieties are more drought tolerant once established. Plant in a sunny moist area of the yard, or create a rain garden where plants can thrive. In dry spells, willows may shed many leaves in June. Jim Putnam of Hortube notes, "You can lose over half the leaves in a single shot." He advises gardeners to keep an eye on soil moisture and water deeply if needed.
Amendments & fertilizer:
Willow trees grow quickly and are well-adapted to average soils, needing little or no supplemental fertilizer.
Pruning:
Willows can be pruned in late winter or early spring before plants break dormancy. When tree forms are young, prune plants to develop a strong central leader. Thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation and lightly shape as needed.
For smaller shrubs such as pussy willow, remove up to one third of the growth back to the base of the plant. Cut out small side shoots, crossing or crowded branches to thin the canopy and improve air circulation. Remove top growth to a few feet off the ground so that stems are low enough to harvest for floral arrangements the following spring. These smaller shrubs can be cut back to the ground every few years to maintain a more manageable size.
In this video, Laura LeBoutillier of Garden Answer recommends starting with the deadwood, then work your way into shaping. "You don't have to prune everything, just enough to keep it from getting out of control."
Diseases and pests:
Willows are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Pests include aphids, bark beetle, caterpillars, gall mites, leafminer, scale, spider mites, stem borers, willow leaf beetle, and willow sawfly.
Diseases include anthracnose, black canker, blight, crown gall, leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, rust, or scab.
Toxicity:
Willow trees are not toxic to humans or pets, though ingestion of any part of the plant may cause mild stomach upset.
WILLOW TREE VARIETIES
Photo by: Danijel Hunjek / Shutterstock
WEEPING WILLOW
Salix babylonica
Zones: 6-8
Habit: Weeping habit
Height and spread: 30 to 50 feet tall and wide
Color: Grey-green foliage, yellow-green flowers, yellow fall color
Native to China, this classic willow tree is revered for the elegant weeping habit and long cascading branches that reach to the ground. Narrow leaves 3 to 6 inches long are green with a grey-green underside. Plants are fast growing, adding several feet of growth in a single season. Individual specimens are short-lived, lasting 40 to 75 years. Use as a stunning focal point alongside a pond, stream, or other water feature. Weeping willow is not recommended for smaller yards due to the mature size, risk of storm damage, and extensive root system.
"They are an absolute leggy mess in anything less than full sun." — Jim Putnam, How to Grow a Weeping Willow video.
Photo by: cctm / Shutterstock
BLACK WILLOW
Salix nigra
Zones: 4-9
Habit: Upright multi-stemmed habit
Height and spread: 30 to 60 feet tall and wide
Color: Green foliage, chartreuse flowers, dark brown bark
Black willow is named for the dark brown or black bark that develops grooves or furrows with age. This fast-growing medium-to-large tree has a single or multi-stemmed trunk and a spreading canopy. Native to the eastern U.S. and parts of the west, black willow can be found growing along floodplains, swamps, and ponds. The spreading roots are useful for erosion control.
Photo by: Andrew F. Kazmierski / Shutterstock
CORKSCREW WILLOW
Salix matsudana, syn. S. babylonica var. pekinensis ‘Tortuosa’
Zones: 4-8
Habit: Upright habit with single or multi-stemmed trunk
Height and spread: 20 to 40 feet tall, 10 to 20 feet wide
Color: Green foliage; yellow or green flowers; green, gold or orange-gold stems
Native to China, Japan, and Korea, corkscrew willow is grown for the upright tree-like habit and twisted branches that lend unique character to the landscape. Also known as curly willow, this variety lends winter appeal after the leaves have dropped in fall. Plants thrive in cooler temperatures, and are somewhat drought tolerant once established. Use as a unique focal point or in a rain garden. The curly stems are often used in floral arrangements.
Photo by: butterfly's dream / Shutterstock
GOAT WILLOW
Salix caprea
Zones: 4-8
Habit: Rounded or weeping habit
Height and spread: 12 to 25 feet tall, 12 to 15 feet wide
Color: Green foliage, pinkish gray flowers (male), green flowers (female)
Also known as European pussy willow, this multi-stemmed shrub is native to Europe and Asia. Male plants produce fluffy pinkish-gray catkins 1 to 2 inches long that are popular for cut flower arrangements. The flowers are an early season source of pollen and nectar for beneficial pollinators. Goat willow can be used as hedging, in mass plantings, or as a wind break. ‘Pendula’ (pictured) is a small single-stemmed tree with a weeping habit.
Photo by: Olayola / Shutterstock
'GOLDEN CURLS' CORKSCREW WILLOW
Salix hybrid
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Upright spreading habit with a rounded crown
Height and spread: 20 to 30 feet tall, 15 to 30 feet wide
Color: Green foliage, yellow flowers, golden yellow branches
‘Golden Curls’ is an award-winning variety with unique year-round appeal. A hybrid cross between Salix alba ‘Tristis’ and S. matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, this multi-stemmed shrub or small tree has an upright habit and newer growth that weeps. Contorted branches are a brilliant golden yellow in winter and spring, shifting to rich bronze-yellow in summer. The slender green leaves curl, combining with the twisted branches for an intriguing effect. Yellow fall foliage drops to reveal the intricate structure in winter. Use as a stunning focal point or specimen.
Photo by: Spring Meadow Nursery
ROSE GOLD WILLOW
Salix gracilistyla
Zones: 4-8
Habit: Upright habit
Height and spread: 6 to 12 feet tall and wide
Color: Green foliage, grey, yellow and red flowers, yellow fall color
Native to Asia, this species is known as rose-gold pussy willow for the showy grey catkins with red and gold anthers. Slender leaves 2 to 4 inches long start out bluish-gray, maturing to dark green before turning yellow in fall. Use as a specimen in a bed or border, or in a rain garden. The dwarf stature is suitable for smaller yards. Plants can be cut to the ground every few years to keep them smaller. ‘Mt. Asama’ (pictured) produces burgundy-pink and silver flowers, while ‘Melanostacys’ has dark black male catkins and red stems.
Photo by: crystaldream / Shutterstock
PURPLE WILLOW
Salix purpurea
Zones: 4-8
Habit: Upright rounded habit
Height and spread: 10 to 15 feet tall and wide; dwarf varieties smaller
Color: Blue-green foliage, purple-red and grey flowers, purple stems mature to grey
Also known as purple osier willow, this useful landscape shrub has an upright rounded habit and blue-green foliage that adds structure and soft texture to beds and borders. The dense supple branches make this species amenable to shearing into hedging or formal shapes. ‘Blue Arctic’ (syn. ‘Nana’) (pictured) is a popular dwarf variety that reaches just 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for smaller yards. Purple willow is a more drought-tolerant willow than other species.
Photo by: Bargais / Shutterstock
PUSSY WILLOW
Salix discolor
Zones: 4-8
Habit: Upright habit
Height and spread: 6 to 15 feet tall, 4 to 12 feet wide
Color: Blue-green foliage, pearl-gray flowers, reddish-brown stems
Pussy willow is a beloved small shrub or tree with upright stems and soft pearl-grey male catkins that are popular in cut arrangements. This native willow tree thrives along stream banks and wetlands. The suckering spreading roots are useful for erosion control or to naturalize in a wildlife garden. Plants can be cut back to the ground every few years to control the size.
Photo by: crystaldream / Shutterstock
WHITE WILLOW
Salix alba
Zones: 2-8
Habit: Upright rounded or weeping habit
Height and spread: 50 to 80 feet tall, 40 to 70 feet wide
Color: Grey-green foliage with white undersides, yellow or green flowers
Native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, white willow is a large tree with an elegant rounded or weeping habit and showy pale leaves. This large fast-growing tree is not recommended for small yards, but can be used in larger landscapes near a stream, pond, or rain garden. White willow may be invasive in parts of the U.S. ‘Tristis’ (pictured) has golden branches that turn reddish-orange in winter.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are willow trees good for small yards?
Willow trees are a challenge to grow in smaller spaces due to their fast growth rate and full mature size. These trees or shrubs develop an extensive root system that can damage home foundations, sidewalks, and pipes. Shrub types such as pussy willow and dappled willow are more suited to smaller yards.
How fast do willow trees grow?
Willows are fast growing plants, adding 3 to 10 feet of new growth in a single growing season, depending on the species.
Are willows invasive?
These plants have an aggressive growth habit and extensive root system that may compete with native species.
Do willow trees lose their leaves in winter?
Willow is a deciduous plant that loses its foliage at the end of the growing season.
Do willow trees need a lot of water?
Willows are found growing in moist soil or near water features, needing regular water to thrive. They require moderate to high amounts of water and don’t like their roots to dry out.
WILLOW TREE LANDSCAPING TIPS
For borders and landscapes:
Plant near a water feature, rain garden, in a native landscape, or allow to naturalize.
For slopes and hillsides:
Willows are effective for controlling erosion along a slope or hillside due to their extensive root system.
For containers:
Willows are not generally recommended to grow in containers due to their extensive root system and mature size. Some dwarf varieties may survive in a large pot and with regular pruning.
When landscaping with ornamental willow trees, it’s essential to select the right variety for the site. Some types of willows are not suitable for smaller yards. Here are some ideas on how to use willows in your landscape.
- Plant a shrub willow in a row as hedging or a wind break.
- Use willow trees for wet soil where many other plants won’t grow.
- Plant willow shrubs along a property line as a living fence or privacy screen.
- Create a rain garden and include smaller willows alongside other water-loving plants.
- Use a bigger tree type such as weeping willow as a stunning focal point along a pond, siting it where the tree is reflected in the water.
- Plant a willow tree as a quick solution to provide shade.
- Include a willow variety with colorful stems for winter interest.
- Place a dwarf weeping willow as a focal point in a bed or border as a structural element.
- Mass a smaller shrub type along a slope to help stem erosion.
- Include small- to medium-sized native varieties in a wildlife landscape to support birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
Companion plants: Grow willows alongside other plants that thrive in the same growing conditions of full sun and moist soil. Choose smaller willow varieties with less extensive root systems that won’t compete with other plants for water and nutrients. Good companions for willows include ajuga, astilbe, canna lily, Egyptian papyrus, hydrangea, Japanese iris, meadow rue, spruce, and viburnum.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janet Loughrey is a veteran garden writer and photographer with over 25 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Garden Design, Better Homes and Gardens, and Sunset. A former Master Gardener, she brings hands-on expertise from gardening in a wide range of climates, from upstate New York to the Pacific Northwest.
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