Salix caprea Curly Locks - Great Sallow

Salix caprea 'Curly Locks' is a variety of Goat Willow, which, once grafted onto a stem, is distinguished by its twisted and weeping branches, giving the plant aesthetic appeal. Extremely elegant and moderately sized, reaching a height of about 1.50 to 2 metres, it is perfectly suited for small gardens, as well as container gardening on the terrace. In late winter, over several weeks, it puts on a show with its bare and shiny branches covered in silver and silky catkins, followed by golden anthers laden with pollen, highly appreciated by pollinating insects. Hardy and very easy to grow, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and adapts to any soil, even relatively dry in summer. When the catkins bloom, the branches become particularly decorative and blend perfectly into floral arrangements.

Salix caprea, more commonly known as Goat Willow, and sometimes called Pussy Willow or Great Sallow, is a species of shrubs or small trees in the Salicaceae family. There are approximately 360 species found in temperate and cold regions of the northern hemisphere. Its name comes from Latin and Frankish, derived from a Celtic root meaning "near water". Its leaves are deciduous, alternate, oval or lanceolate. As a dioecious plant, the flowers are arranged in upright catkins, either male or female, carried on separate plants. Once fertilised, the female flowers transform into two-valved capsules that release cottony seeds. They are pollinated by wind or insects. Willows, like birches, are the first trees to colonise fallow land, especially riverbanks. They prefer sunny locations and light, moist soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Goat Willow is a pioneer species and ubiquitous, being found in diverse and extensive territories. It is a light-demanding species, less exclusively associated with wet areas than most other willow species.

The 'Curly Locks' variety was discovered in the Netherlands in the 1990s. It is a male willow grafted onto a stem, with the height of the plant determined by the length of the stem. It has a characteristic upright habit, consisting of a vertical trunk topped with a regular and weeping crown. With rapid growth, this small willow reaches a height of 1.50 to 2.50 metres and a spread of 1.20 to 1.80 meters at maturity depending on the height of the graft point. The trunk is covered with smooth grey-green bark, which takes on an ash-grey hue and a cracked and fissured texture with age. The branches, with smooth bark, are reddish-brown with orange highlights and twist and turn outward and downward in all directions. The deciduous foliage consists of oval or lanceolate, 6 to 9 cm long, thick and leathery leaves, matte green on top and whitish and downy on the underside. They turn orange and brown before falling for the winter. The spectacular flowering occurs in March-April, before the leaves appear, on one-year-old branches. 'Curly Locks' only produces male catkins, which are extremely decorative, pleasantly scented and nectar-rich. These ovoid to oblong, 3 to 7 cm long catkins, are initially covered in silvery-white silky hairs and release tiny yellow flowers that are very decorative and covered in pollen.

In addition to its rapid growth, Salix caprea 'Curly Locks' can tolerate severe pruning, allowing it to be contained to a desired size and generate new, fresher, and more colourful branches. It can adapt to all types of soils, whether acidic, neutral, or alkaline. It prefers a sunny exposure but can easily tolerate partial shade. While it appreciates moist soils, it can tolerate a certain level of drought, which is not the case for all willows. Moreover, it is a very hardy plant, withstanding temperatures as low as -30°C. Low-maintenance and easy to grow, it requires almost no care and will reward you with beautiful flowering branches that can be used in bouquets.

In the category of willows, there is a great diversity of varieties, each one as unique as the next. Salix caprea 'Curly Locks', stands out for its aesthetic appeal and architectural form. Its distinctive stature allows this willow to easily stand out in a natural space, a wild-style garden, a well-maintained contemporary space, by a pond, or even in a miniature garden. To highlight its architectural form, it can be accompanied by long-flowering ground cover perennials (Ajuga, Tradescantia), perennials with sculptural and colourful foliage (dwarf Hostas, Houttuynia cordata Chameleon), grasses (Acorus, Carex morrowii), or evergreen shrubs like Nandina domestica Fire Power or dwarf bamboos. Finally, a few bulbs like Snowdrops, with their white bell-shaped flowers heralding spring, can perfect the composition. Its controlled growth and robustness also make it an ideal plant to grow in a large container. It will enhance the charm of a terrace, patio, or balcony, provided it receives periodic watering.

Properties: Like all willows, this variety contains a substance similar to aspirin in its bark. It is nectar-rich and bee-friendly: bees that forage on it produce a golden yellow honey with green iridescence, which takes on amber to beige hues as it ages. Its flavour is sweet, floral and slightly woody. Its foliage was once used as fodder for goats.