Salix cinerea - Common Sallow

Salix cinerea, also known as grey willow, ashy willow or common sallow, is a large deciduous bush that forms beautiful undulating patches of light among the darker foliage. Well-branched from the base, without a trunk, it develops young grey and velvety branches and bears lovely silver catkins in early spring, before the appearance of leaves. It is also adorned with beautiful silky foliage, which is green on top and ash grey to bluish on the underside (hence the name). Well adapted to small natural-style gardens, it thrives in the sun in ordinary but moist to wet soil, near water sources for example. Its branches covered with silky catkins are superb in bouquets.

Salix cinerea belongs to the Salicaceae family. It is a deciduous botanical species native to Europe and Western Asia, and is perfectly cold-resistant. Its lifespan is about 30 years.

It has a characteristic habit, more bushy than shrubby, composed of a multitude of branches stemming near the ground. At maturity, this small fast-growing willow will not exceed 4 m (13.1 ft) in height and 3 m (9.8 ft) in width. The young branches are grey and pubescent, then after 2 to 4 years, prominent grooves develop under their bark. The deciduous foliage is composed of alternately arranged leaves, measuring up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long. They are lanceolate in shape, rough to the touch, and slightly undulate. The lamina is matte green on the upper side, while the underside is covered with a grey down and traversed by prominent veins. The ornamental flowering takes place in March-April, before the appearance of leaves. Male specimens bear 3 cm (1.2 in) long, silver and silky catkins, and female specimens bear shorter catkins carried by silky peduncles and covered with silky scales as well. The fruit is a hairy capsule that releases decorative bristle-covered seeds.

As delightful in a mass planting as in a hedge, the grey willow brings a beautiful luminous touch and a bit of wild grace to the garden. Not very bulky, it easily fits into a country hedge and naturally finds its place near water sources. Prune it every year after flowering to encourage it to bush out and produce numerous flowering branches. For example, it can be planted with dogwoods (Cornus mas, C. officinalis, C. sanguinea), hazelnuts, or flowering cherry trees in a free hedge with soil that remains moist. Remember to make bouquets with its branches adorned with velvety catkins. In a vase, they beautifully accompany those of Prunus triloba, flowering cherry and plum trees that will be awakened by the warmth of the house.

Properties:

Like all willows, this variety contains a substance similar to aspirin in its bark. Its bark, also rich in tannins, is used in leather tanning. Its wood is used in basketry, carpentry, for barrel hoops, as well as in match-making.