Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys'
Black willow, Black pussy willow, Salix gracilistyla var. melanostachys, Salix melanostachys, Salix 'Kuro-me'
Salix Salix
'Melanostachys' _ 'Melanostachys' is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous, male shrub with arching shoots, silky-hairy when young and red in winter, and oval, silky-hairy, grey-green leaves that turn glossy green with maturity. Purple-black catkins with bright, orange-red anthers are produced in early and mid-spring before the leaves unfurl.
Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' is: Deciduous
Rounded
Black, Flushed purple in Spring
Green in Summer
Aphids , Caterpillars , Leaf beetles (willow and poplar) , Sawflies Aphids , Caterpillars , Leaf beetles (willow and poplar) , Sawflies
Anthracnose diseases , Rust Anthracnose diseases , Rust
Can be pollarded every 3-4 years.
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' (Black willow) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.
Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Plant in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes shallow chalk soil.
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Full Sun
North, South, East, West
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys'
Black willow, Black pussy willow, Salix gracilistyla var. melanostachys, Salix melanostachys, Salix 'Kuro-me'
Salix Salix
'Melanostachys' _ 'Melanostachys' is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous, male shrub with arching shoots, silky-hairy when young and red in winter, and oval, silky-hairy, grey-green leaves that turn glossy green with maturity. Purple-black catkins with bright, orange-red anthers are produced in early and mid-spring before the leaves unfurl.
Deciduous
Rounded
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Black, Flushed purple in Spring
Green in Summer
Aphids , Caterpillars , Leaf beetles (willow and poplar) , Sawflies
Can be pollarded every 3-4 years.
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' (Black willow) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 20-50 years.
Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Plant in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes shallow chalk soil.
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Full Sun
North, South, East, West
Exposed, Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2
Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' (Black willow)
Agrilus fleischeri
Insect
Absent
4
5
Pest of poplar; native to East Asia. Likely to be damaging if introduced to the UK. Protecting against the risk of entry via wood packaging material and other means remains a priority. A Europe-wide assessment would be helpful; to consider strengthened regulation.
Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' (Black willow)
Asian longhorn beetle; Starry sky beetle
Anoplophora glabripennis
Insect
Absent
2
4
Recognised threat to a wide range of deciduous tress native to the UK. Already regulated it is a priority for continued surveillance and statutory action. The risk of entry is further mitigated by EU legislation requiring the monitoring of wooden packaging material originating from China.
Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys' (Black willow)
watermark disease of willow; willow vascular wilt; willow watermark disease; willow wilt
Brenneria salicis
Bacterium
Present (Limited)
2
4
Bacterial organism causing watermark disease; which affects willow used for cricket bat production. Established in parts of England; despite long-standing powers for local authorities to take action; which have now been revoked.
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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This plant likes... | Garden match | |
Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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