Salix retusa
Salix retusa · Salicaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around salix retusa and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Type
- Dwarf shrub
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 0.3 to 0.6 m in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-30°C and below)
- Origin
- Alps and mountains of central Europe
Care
Sunlight
Salix retusa prefers full sun or partial shade for optimal growth. In mountain or cool climates, full sun is ideal. In warmer regions, light afternoon shade protects the foliage from drying out.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but well-drained, especially during spring growth. This shrub tolerates naturally wet soils but dislikes chronic waterlogging. In containers, water regularly without allowing standing water.
Soil
Light, well-drained, slightly acidic soil suits it perfectly. This alpine shrub appreciates substrates poor in organic matter and tolerates even rocky or sandy soils. Avoid overly rich or chalky soils.
Pruning
Light pruning after flowering is enough to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Remove dead or misplaced branches in late winter. This dwarf shrub doesn't need drastic pruning; gentle trimming preserves its natural form.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is rarely necessary. A light application of well-decomposed compost in early spring is plenty. Prioritize soil quality over excessive feeding, which could promote soft, weak growth.
Diseases and pests
Salix retusa is generally robust. Watch for aphids in spring and occasional rusts from excessive humidity. Good drainage and air circulation prevent most fungal issues. No major problems if moisture conditions are respected.
Did you know?
Salix retusa is one of the smallest willow species in the world and a true glacial relic: it grows naturally above 2,500 m altitude in the Alps, where it colonizes scree and moraines. Its name 'retusa' means 'blunt' in Latin, referring to the characteristic rounded tip of its tiny leaves.
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.