Tea-leaved willow
Salix phylicifolia · Salicaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around tea-leaved willow and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-40 °C)
- Origin
- Arctic and subarctic regions of Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Moist to very moist, well-drained
Care
Watering
Arctic Willow loves moist soils and should never dry out completely. Water regularly during the growing season and maintain consistent moisture. In drier climates, mulching helps retain soil moisture. Reduce watering slightly in winter.
Sunlight
This species thrives in sun or partial shade. It tolerates shaded areas very well. Choose a sunny location to encourage generous flowering and compact growth. Avoid intense sun exposure in Mediterranean climates.
Soil
Arctic Willow prefers rich, moist to very moist, well-drained soils. It adapts to slightly acidic to neutral soils. It tolerates prolonged drought poorly. Enrich the soil with compost at planting time.
Pruning and training
Light pruning after flowering (May-June) is sufficient to maintain a harmonious shape. Remove dead or damaged branches in winter. Avoid severe pruning that weakens the plant. This species needs only minimal pruning to thrive.
Fertilizer
A spring application of well-decomposed compost is usually sufficient. In poor soil, apply a balanced diluted fertilizer at the start of the growing season. Willows don't require intensive feeding. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Arctic Willow is generally robust. Watch for leaf spots and powdery mildew in humid, stagnant conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid excess moisture. Aphids may occasionally affect young shoots.
Did you know?
Arctic Willow is one of the rare willow species capable of colonizing the most extreme zones of northern Scandinavia and Siberia. Its early catkins are a precious source of nectar for the first pollinating insects emerging from winter in cold regions. This remarkable resilience makes it a key plant in Arctic ecosystems.
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.