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Salix irrorata (Blue-stem willow)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
5m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Salix irrorata
Other names
Blue-stem willow, Bluestem willow, Sandbar willow, Dewystem willow
Genus
Salix Salix
Species
S. irrorata - S. irrorata is an upright, bushy, deciduous shrub with slender, purple stems, bloomed white in winter, bearing narrowly oblong, sparsely toothed, bright green leaves and grey catkins in early spring before the leaves emerge. Male catkins have prominent yellow stamens.
Salix irrorata is: Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Grey in Spring
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Resistant to deer.
Specific pests
Sawflies , Lacebugs , Caterpillars , Aphids , Scale insects Sawflies , Lacebugs , Caterpillars , Aphids , Scale insects
Rust Rust
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1 in late winter or early spring. Can be pollarded every 3-4 years.
Propagation methods
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Salix irrorata (Blue-stem willow) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Waterside, Low Maintenance, Hedging/Screens, Coastal, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Salix irrorata
Other names
Blue-stem willow, Bluestem willow, Sandbar willow, Dewystem willow
Genus
Salix Salix
Species
S. irrorata - S. irrorata is an upright, bushy, deciduous shrub with slender, purple stems, bloomed white in winter, bearing narrowly oblong, sparsely toothed, bright green leaves and grey catkins in early spring before the leaves emerge. Male catkins have prominent yellow stamens.
Native to
Southwestern United States
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Grey in Spring
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Resistant to deer.
Specific pests
Sawflies , Lacebugs , Caterpillars , Aphids , Scale insects
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1 in late winter or early spring. Can be pollarded every 3-4 years.
Propagation methods
Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Salix irrorata (Blue-stem willow) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Waterside, Low Maintenance, Hedging/Screens, Coastal, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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