Rosemary-leaved Willow
Salix rosmarinifolia · Salicaceae
📷 Meneerke bloem · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around rosemary-leaved willow and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- Spring (March to May)
- Adult size
- Approximately 1.5 m tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Moist, well-drained, tolerates heavy soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
This Salix rosmarinifolia is compact and loves moderate to high moisture: well-draining soil that stays fresh. Its shrubby form makes it a great addition to a mixed planting bed.
The common mistake
Letting it dry out in parched soil: branches become woody and bare at the base, flowering weakens.
The pro's trick
After spring flowering, trim the stems back lightly to thicken up the shape.
Care
Watering
Rosemary-leaved willow appreciates constantly moist soils. Water regularly, especially during dry periods and the first year after planting. This plant tolerates moist situations well and even supports temporarily waterlogged soils, making it an excellent choice for low-lying garden areas.
Exposure
Plant this willow in full sun to promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering. It tolerates partial shade but grows less vigorously. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended for best results.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering (May-June) to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. You can reduce stems by one-third to one-half their length. Light winter pruning is also possible to remove dead wood or badly oriented branches. Avoid severe autumn pruning which weakens the wood.
Soil
Rosemary-leaved willow adapts to a wide range of soils as long as they remain fresh. Moist terrain, even chalky or silty, suits it perfectly. Adding compost at planting improves rooting, but this species is undemanding in terms of fertility.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is strictly necessary if the soil is properly prepared at planting. A light annual application of compost or organic fertilizer in spring is sufficient to maintain good vigor. Avoid excessive nitrogen inputs which promote soft growth.
Health and pests
Rosemary-leaved willow is generally robust and little affected by disease. Stay vigilant against anthracnose in case of excessive humidity, and check for the absence of aphids or mites, especially in warm conditions. Good air circulation and watering at the base reduce fungal risks.
Did you know?
Rosemary-leaved willow lives up to its name: its narrow, linear leaves resemble those of rosemary, which is very unusual for a willow. In Scandinavia and Russia, this hardy shrub has been used for centuries for ornament and for its silky catkins that emerge in early spring, providing a precious source of pollen for hungry bees after winter.
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.