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Salix fargesii - Farges Willow

Salix fargesii
Farges Willow

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This Farges willow is a bushy Chinese shrub, about 2m (7ft) in all directions, very decorative with its large shiny dark green leaves, red young shoots, and smooth, beautiful coppery brown bark. Its erect green catkins are barely visible in spring. It is easy to grow in the sun, in well-drained and humus-rich soil, moist or even relatively dry in summer. While it can withstand the coldest temperatures, its young shoots can be destroyed by late frosts.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
2 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
all types, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

Salix fargesii or Farges' Willow is a Chinese species of small and highly decorative development, more bushy than shrubby, well suited for a small garden. It is interesting for its unusual appearance, as well as for its ease of cultivation in almost all types of soil. Its assets include magnificent, large dark, shiny green magnolia leaves, red young shoots from which large buds covered with silver bristles emerge, and smooth bark of a beautiful coppery brown, which will be admired in winter. Its upright green catkins are barely visible in spring. Resistant to the coldest temperatures, its young shoots can however be damaged by late frosts.

Belonging to the willow family, Salix fargesii is a deciduous botanical species native to mountainous areas in central and western China (Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan), where it is found at an altitude between 1400 and 1600 metres (4593 and 5249 feet). This plant was awarded in England in 2012 by the Royal Horticultural Society for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden. It is a very light-tolerant species, less exclusively associated with wet places than most other species of the genus Salix.

Farges Willow is a rounded, branched shrub, developing many stems from its base. At maturity, this slow-growing willow will reach an average size of 2 metres (7 feet) in all directions, not exceeding 3 metres (10 feet) after many years. The young branches are erect, shiny, and bright red, turning mahogany red to copper red over time. From the end of winter, shiny, bright red buds form, releasing silky and silver leaves. Attached to the branches by red petioles, these leaves unfold, turning pink and then green, until they measure about 11cm (4in) long and 6cm (2in) wide. They have an elegant long oval shape, tapering to a point. Thick-textured and heavily veined, they are beautiful dark green and glossy on the top, lighter underneath. The foliage is deciduous, falling in autumn. The insignificant flowering is somewhat hidden by the foliage in April-May, on separate male and female subjects. The erect male catkins measure up to 12cm (5in) long, while the females, also erect, reach 18cm (7in) long. The fruit is a capsule that opens to release seeds with long bristles.

As charming along a watercourse as in a flowerbed, Farges Willow proves to be easy to grow in ordinary soil, in most regions. Unlike most of its relatives, it does not require moist or waterlogged soil throughout the year, and it will tolerate periods of summer drought with occasional watering. With a beautiful presence throughout the year, it can be placed in the centre of a small flowerbed composed of low shrubs (winter heathers, cotton lavenders, dwarf dogwoods Cornus sericea Kelseyi), or in front of a group of taller shrubs along a pathway. For example, it can be associated with Chinese azaleas and surrounded by Panicum or Miscanthus in a scene full of light.

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Willow, Salix: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Eva 18 min.
Willow, Salix: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Salix fargesii - Farges Willow in pictures

Salix fargesii - Farges Willow (Foliage) Foliage
Salix fargesii - Farges Willow (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Flowering time April to May
Fruit colour grey

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green
Product reference • 864381

Planting and care

Plant Salix fargesii in a sunny position, preferably in autumn. It is undemanding in terms of soil, as long as it has some depth to allow the bush to find some moisture in case of drought. However, it prefers a well-drained soil, rich in humus, that remains moist. It tolerates the presence of limestone as well as clayey and/or acidic soils. In all regions, water regularly during the first two years to help the bush establish itself. In hot and dry regions, once the plant is established, a generous watering every 15 days or 3 weeks will be required. Ideally plant in a mixture composed of half compost and half garden soil. It is perfectly resistant to cold and severe frosts, but its young shoots can be destroyed by late frosts: therefore, avoid planting it to the east in the coldest regions. To promote a bushy habit and the formation of catkin-bearing branches, you can prune every 4 years or so.

Diseases and pests of willows:

The leaves and branches are susceptible to various fungal diseases. Collect all the leaves in autumn, burn them, and treat with Bordeaux mixture. Many insects, such as aphids and caterpillars, devour the foliage. 

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Edge of border
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture all types, Moist soil, Ordinary soil, but light and deep..

Care

Pruning instructions Prune the branches every 4 years if necessary to encourage a dense habit and promote the growth of flowering shoots.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April
Soil moisture all types, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

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