Salix helvetica Swiss willow
size/type
small shrub,small shrub
usual height
0,5-1m
usual width
0,5-1,3m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
less showy but noticeable
location
full sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Willows in many botanical species are typical for Central European and Czech flora. You can find them in many places, especially on the damp woodland margins where they form airy trees with rounded crowns, on the banks of ponds and dams, and almost anywhere in neglected locations with enough water in the soil. They are often tall trees and shrubs, but there are also species and varieties which due to their smaller height are also suitable for small and mid-sized gardens.
Description of the plant:
Swiss willow is a cute little shrub, a uniquely dwarf version of willow. It is our native taxon whose natural habitat extends north-east to Poland, south-west to France, and is most often found in the Alps and Tatras. You can recognize it by its smoot, soft leaves. They are deciduous, 5-6 cm long, narrowly oblong to elliptic, bright green and glossy but covered with such a layer of silvery indumentum that the overall impression is rather pale blue-green. In spring before the leaves emerge appear short, erect, dense catkins which belong among the first bee food source.It naturally forms low, dome-shaped shrubs only about 80 cm tall and slightly wider. Pruning can be done after flowering, but due to slow growth it is usually not required. It is ideal for small gardens and rock gardens.
Willows generally tolerate almost any soil conditions except pure sandy soil, but with the Swiss willow we must respect its rocky origin and ensure that its soil is not waterlogged, as it is not ready to take all the water. Soil pH is not too important. It prefers full sun or only light shade and can handle harsh winters and summer heat. Hardy to approx. -37 °C and is also suitable for containers with good water drainage.
Last update 22-03-2023
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
