Almond willow
Salix triandra · Salicaceae
📷 BCB · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around almond willow and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May, early catkins
- Adult size
- 4 m tall, upright and bushy habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Europe, Western and Central Asia
- Soil type
- Moist to fresh, well-drained, tolerates heavy soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
The three-stamen willow thrives along water edges or in constantly moist soil, tolerates partial shade. Prune each spring to keep it bushy and prevent excessive vertical growth.
The common mistake
Not pruning regularly: it becomes a long, spindly stem with poor flowering after 3-4 years.
The pro's trick
In March, cut it back to 60-80 cm from the ground (hard pruning): it'll come back with vigorous new shoots and spring flowering will be spectacular.
Care
Watering
Three-stamen willow appreciates moist soils that are regularly watered, particularly during active growth periods. In Mediterranean or dry climates, water regularly during the first year after planting. Once established, it tolerates fresh soils well but dislikes prolonged drought.
Exposure
Install this willow in full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. It tolerates partial shade very well, even part shade, but prefers at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight daily for vigorous development.
Soil and Planting
This willow thrives in moist, heavy or clay soils, and even tolerates temporary waterlogging. It adapts well to waterside conditions or periodically wet areas. Amend the soil at planting with compost to encourage root establishment.
Pruning and Training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, airy shape. Remove dead or crossing branches. Three-stamen willow prunes well and can be trained as a shrub or small tree according to your preferences.
Fertilization
Undemanding, this willow only requires an annual application of compost or organic fertilizer in spring. Mulching at the base promotes moisture retention and gradually enriches the soil.
Diseases and Pests
A robust species, three-stamen willow is rarely affected by diseases. In very humid areas, watch for occasional scale insects or aphids. Good air circulation limits fungal issues.
Did you know?
Three-stamen willow owes its scientific name Salix triandra to its very particular male flowers, which have only three stamens instead of the two generally observed in other willows. Historically, this willow was widely exploited in France and Europe for the production of flexible wood intended for basketry and basket-making, testifying to its past economic importance.
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
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.