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Salix x smithiana (Silky-leaved osier)

Other names: Smith willow

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Species
S. x smithiana is a vigorous, upright, deciduous shrub or small tree with narrowly elliptic to narrowly lance-shaped, veined, dark green leaves, grey-green beneath, and, in early to mid-spring, soft, velvety, silvery-grey flower catkins, the male flowers with prominent yellow anthers.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
9 m 5 m 20-50 years
29 ft 16 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Boggy damp conditions
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moist, boggy, or moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Avoid chalk. Tolerates partial shade. Will not tolerate dry soil. Site careful as develops an aggressive root system. Resents root disturbance.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Waterside, Bog garden

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = High
Central Valley = High
South Coastal = High
South Inland = High
High and Intermediate Desert = High
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

Native to

Garden origin

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 in late winter or early spring. Can be pollarded every 3-4 years.

Propagation methods

Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings

Propagation

Requires both a male and female plant for seed production. Sow seed in a cold frame in late spring or early summer as soon as ripe. Seed has a short viability and may not come true to type.

Pests

Scale insects

Aphids

Caterpillars

Sawflies

Lacebugs

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Rust

Canker

Anthracnose diseases

Blight

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Take hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter

Take softwood cuttings

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Plant in moist or boggy soil

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Salix

Companion plants (1)

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Cornus alba 'Sibirica'
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Cornus alba 'Sibirica' Siberian dogwood
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