Crack willow
Salix fragilis · Salicaceae
📷 Andreas Eichler · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around crack willow and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- March to April
- Adult size
- 12 to 15 m in height
- Growth
- Very fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20°C
- Origin
- Europe and Western Asia
- Soil type
- Moist to fresh, rich
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Weeping willow thrives on waterside or constantly moist soil—this is its natural habitat, so avoid letting it dry out between spring and autumn.
The common mistake
Planting in drained soil or letting it dry out in summer: the foliage yellows and drops, growth stops abruptly.
The pro's trick
Take semi-hardwood cuttings in July with simple water soaking: they'll root in 2-3 weeks in water.
Care
Watering
Your weeping willow loves moisture and thrives near water sources. Water regularly during dry periods, especially in the first years after planting. In temperate climates with normal rainfall, additional watering is only necessary during prolonged droughts.
Light Exposure
Plant your willow in full sun for optimal growth and dense foliage. It tolerates partial shade but will flourish fully with at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight.
Pruning and Cutting
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to balance the shape and remove dead branches. The weeping willow tolerates pruning well and can be grown in a free form or cleared above to create a beautiful canopy. Be careful: its branches break easily under the weight of snow or wind.
Soil
The weeping willow prefers moist soils, rich in organic matter and well-drained. Avoid overly dry or compacted soils. When planting, incorporate compost or well-decomposed manure to improve structure and fertility.
Fertilizer
An annual application of compost or organic fertilizer in spring is generally sufficient. The weeping willow is a vigorous species that doesn't require excessive fertilization; overfeeding would promote overly rapid growth and weaken the branch structure.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for cankers and fungal diseases related to moisture. Aphids may occasionally infest young shoots. Good air circulation and regular pruning reduce these risks; intervene quickly if you notice visible symptoms.
Did you know?
The weeping willow gets its name from its extremely brittle branches that snap off at the slightest gust of wind or heavy snow. Paradoxically, this fragility is an evolutionary advantage: fallen branches root easily in the moist soils of riverbanks, allowing the tree to reproduce and rapidly colonize alluvial zones. Riverside communities have long exploited this property to create cuttings and replant banks.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- AspenPopulus tremula
- Goat willowSalix caprea
- Grey willowSalix cinerea
- White willowSalix alba
- Eared willowSalix aurita
- Creeping willowSalix repens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.