Salix gracilistyla - Black Willow

Salix gracilistyla, is a species of Willow with great ornamental value due to its exceptional flowering: from February to April, large, silky black catkins with red anthers appear on its reddish branches. It has been awarded by the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society and will make a beautiful addition to any garden.

Native to Asia and belonging to the Salicaceae family, Salix gracilistyla is a deciduous bush with a spreading habit. It grows rapidly and can reach a height of 2 metres (7 feet) with a width of 4 metres. Its spectacular flowering is its major asset and is followed by the emergence of a compound foliage with lanceolate greyish-green leaves that evolve into a beautiful glossy green.

Hardy down to at least -15°C, this Willow is not very demanding in terms of soil quality, as long as it remains moist and well-drained. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It does not require any particular maintenance, but a severe pruning every two years will help rejuvenate its branches. We recommend mulching around its base to keep the soil moist throughout the year.

In the garden, you can plant it as a standalone specimen or in an architectural group with Red Twig Dogwood, Red Baron Japanese Blood Grass, and Black Sprite Mountain Cornflower. It also thrives near water features. Finally, it is a bush that can also be cultivated for floral art - by taking a few branches, you can create stunning compositions.