Salix elaeagnos subsp. angustifolia

Salix elaeagnos 'Angustifolia', known as the narrow-leaved willow, is one of the most robust willows, as it can adapt to waterlogged riverbanks as well as dry rocky slopes in summer. It is also one of the most beautiful shrubs with grey foliage. Despite its wide and dense habit, it gives a great impression of lightness. Its early flowering of small yellow catkins occurs before the leaves appear, and in winter its fine branches tinged with red are revealed. Like all willows, it tolerates pruning very well. With so many qualities, this willow is perfect for creating an informal or trimmed hedge. 

Salix elaeagnos 'Angustifolia' belongs to the Salicaceae family. It is a form with particularly narrow leaves, naturally found in the southern Alps, up to an altitude of 1700 m (5577ft). It is a pioneer species of gravelly riverbanks, also found in thickets or dry pine forests, and gravel pits or quarries. It prefers alluvial soils, rich in coarse materials, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, with seasonal variations in moisture: its highly adaptable root system adjusts to soil humidity and texture. The plant adapts its growth and habit to its living conditions. The narrow-leaved willow has a round, dense and bushy habit, supported by thin, flexible and divided branches. It grows rapidly and reaches an average size of 2 m (7ft) in all directions at maturity (sometimes up to 4 m (13ft) depending on the growing conditions). The young branches are orange-red and the deciduous foliage is composed of narrow linear leaves that do not exceed 1 cm (1in) in width and are 2 to 12 cm (1 to 5in) long. The upper side is green-grey in spring, turning dark green, whiter and silvery on the underside, turning yellow in autumn before falling. Flowering occurs from March to May, before the leaves appear, on separate male and female subjects. The yellow male flowers consist of 2 fused and smooth stamens, while the greener female flowers have a short style terminated by 2 stigmas. This flowering provides a source of pollen and nectar for bees. 

This intrepid willow, which forms a light, undulating and silvery mass, finds a place along bodies of water, and dry slopes, provided that the soil is deep and retains some moisture. It can also be used in rock gardens or for creating low-maintenance countryside hedges in a somewhat wild area of the garden. Regularly prune it after flowering to encourage it to branch out and produce numerous flowering branches. It can be associated with dogwoods (Cornus sanguinea, Cornus sericea), miscanthus, gorse or reedmace along a large pond. In a hedge, the silver of its foliage will complement the purples of Berberis, Black Lace Elder, or Royal Purple Smoke Bush. 

There is such a diversity of forms, sizes, and cultivation requirements among willows that it is impossible not to find one that will thrive in your garden. These shrubs and trees are generally easy to grow if their basic requirements are met. In the garden, a willow always brings a bucolic and natural touch, sometimes very original or romantic depending on the varieties.