Hybrid crack willow
Salix rubens · Salicaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around hybrid crack willow and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- April to May (catkins)
- Adult size
- 15 to 25 m in height, spreading form
- Growth
- Very fast
- Hardiness
- Zone 3 to 8 (temperate)
- Origin
- Europe, Western Asia
- Soil type
- Rich, moist to wet
Care
Watering
The weeping willow appreciates constantly moist soils. Water regularly during dry periods, particularly during the first year after planting. It tolerates even temporary minor flooding and is often grown along watercourses or in marshy areas.
Exposure
Plant your willow in full sun to promote vigorous growth and dense foliage. It accepts partial shade, but will be less dense and its silhouette less compact. Prioritize a well-exposed location to allow air circulation.
Pruning and trimming
Prune in autumn or late winter before growth resumes, particularly to remove dead or crossing branches. The weeping willow tolerates pruning well and can be rejuvenated by coppicing. Avoid pruning during active sap flow to limit bleeding.
Soil
The weeping willow thrives in soil rich in organic matter, moist to wet, slightly acidic to neutral. It adapts well to alluvial zones and is not afraid of water level fluctuations. Improve poor soils with compost at planting time.
Fertilizer
Undemanding in terms of fertilization, especially in naturally rich soil. Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in spring for the first two years to promote establishment. Once well established, annual organic matter application is sufficient.
Diseases and pests
The weeping willow can be affected by rusts, cankers, and wood-boring insects. Prioritize good ventilation and removal of dead wood to prevent infections. Regularly inspect the bark and remove affected branches as soon as detected.
Did you know?
The weeping willow owes its name to the remarkable fragility of its branches, which break easily under wind or the weight of snow. Despite this apparent weakness, it is extremely important for stabilizing riverbanks, its fibrous roots effectively retaining sediments and fighting erosion in aquatic environments since ancient times.
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.