Salix alba var. vitellina
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Common Name: golden willow
Type: Tree
Family: Salicaceae
Zone: 2 to 9
Native Range: Europe, northern Africa to central Asia
Height: 6 to 70 feet
Spread: 6 to 50 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: Grayish-white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: High
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Black Walnuts, Deer
Uses: Erosion Control, Rain Garden

Culture

Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist soils in full sun.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Golden willow is a low-branching, rounded-crown, deciduous tree which, if left alone, can eventually mature to 70' tall (larger in the wild). Foliage of a mature tree (particularly the silvery leaf undersides) can be quite striking when nudged by gentle winds. However, only new growth stems produce the bright, golden yellow color (especially noticeable and attractive in winter) which is the signature of the tree. Accordingly golden willow is often grown not as a tree but as a multi-stemmed shrub with the branches being cut back heavily each year in late winter to about 1' from the ground before new growth appears. Plant is fast growing and can produce up to 8' of new growth in one growing season. Very narrow, lance-shaped, finely toothed leaves (to 4" long) are light green above and silver green below, turning variable shades of yellow (usually attractive) in autumn. Upright male and female flowering catkins bloom with the leaves in spring (April-May). Larger male catkins are 2-4" long. Sometimes also grown as a tree and pollarded (branches are cut close to the trunk to promote dense growth of new stems) as a way of encouraging yellow stem growth and showcasing the same. Vitellus (source of the variation name) is derived from Latin and means egg yolk.

Problems

Susceptible to numerous foliar diseases, blights and cankers and many insect pests including aphids, scale and borers.

Garden Uses

Golden willow is grown mainly for its yellow stems which are quite showy in winter, for its attractive foliage and for its ability to prosper in wet locations. As a multi-stemmed shrub, it can be effectively used as a screen or for erosion control or grouped in moist areas such as low spots. Very effective along streams or ponds where other shrubs or small trees may falter. As a tree, it is perhaps best grown in informal, naturalistic settings. May also be pollarded to showcase the new-growth, yellow stems.

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