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Salix moupinensis

Salix moupinensis
Willow

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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This Chinese willow is a compact bush, notable for its magnificent foliage. Its long shiny leaves offer a superb spectacle on the reddish branches that form its growth. Early in the season, it produces decorative upright catkins. With slow growth, it proves to be hardy but does not tolerate bright sunlight. A perfect ornamental plant for small gardens and shaded areas, in moist soil.
Flower size
6 cm
Height at maturity
2 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20.5°C
Soil moisture
all types, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to April, September to November
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Flowering time April
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Description

Salix moupinensis is a slow-growing and compact, highly ornamental species. This shrub is remarkable for its shiny dark green foliage, carried by reddish branches which create a magical contrast with the long leaves. The upright spring catkins add a touch of height to this very architectural plant, perfect for small gardens. This hardy willow requires cool shelter from bright sunlight and rather moist soil.

Belonging to the Salicaceae family, like poplars, Salix moupinensis is a deciduous botanical species native to the mountainous areas of western Sichuan province and northern Yunnan in China. It can be found at an altitude between 1500 and 3000 metres, which explains its good hardiness. This species was discovered in 1869 by Father David, a prominent botanist who was very active in China and to whom a tree, the Davidia, and many species (Viburnum davidii, Acer davidii, etc.) have been dedicated. Introduced in 1910 in the famous Arnold Arboretum (Harvard University, Boston) by E.H. Wilson, and from there to Kew Gardens in London, this willow gradually spread to parks and gardens, while remaining relatively rare in cultivation. It is also often confused with Salix fargesii which it visually resembles.
Salix moupinensis is a slow-growing shrub, reaching a height of 1.50 to 2 m and a width of up to 3 m in about ten years, and not exceeding 3 m in all directions at maturity (reached between 20 and 50 years). The obovate to lanceolate leaves are very elongated, measuring from 6 to 13 cm in length, and are finely toothed on the edges. They are traversed by numerous very visible veins, arranged in fishbone patterns. With a beautiful dark green colour, their surface is shiny and provides a superb spectacle in contrast with the young mahogany-red branches that carry them. When they emerge in spring, the young tender leaves partially turn orange, further enhancing the ornamental aspect of the shrub. The leaf blade is supported by a short petiole, of the same mahogany-red as the branches. Flowering takes place around April, when the catkins, male or female depending on the plants, appear. Measuring approximately 6 cm long for males, twice that for females and greenish, they are erect towards the sky. Although not particularly decorative, they still have a certain sculptural interest by creating vertical lines on a silhouette dominated by horizontal lines due to the spreading leaves. The deciduous foliage falls in autumn.

Salix moupinensis is a superb shrub that is too little known, despite its great ornamental value. It is perfect for small gardens, provided it is given a location sheltered from intense sunlight and moist soil, as it dislikes drought. To create a beautiful scene at the edge of a wood, combine it with flowering shrubs such as the small Clethra alnifolia Ruby Spice, which does not exceed 1 m in height and offers beautiful fragrant pink flowers as well as lovely autumn colours in shades of yellow. The classic, yet always appreciated Aucuba japonica Variegata will provide evergreen foliage in winter, green speckled with yellow, and, provided there is a pollinating partner nearby, beautiful decorative red fruits. A few shade-loving perennials wisely placed at the base of your shrubs will complete your creation. The evergreen Hellebores with their superb winter blooms will delight you with their various colours depending on the varieties, while in spring, Caucasian Forget-me-nots, or Brunnera, will take over with their graceful blue or white flowers.

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

Plant habit

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

Flowering

Flower colour green
Flowering time April
Flower size 6 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Salix

Species

moupinensis

Family

Salicaceae

Other common names

Willow

Origin

China

Product reference • 20549

Planting and care

Salix moupinensis should be planted in partial shade, and must be protected from direct sunlight that it cannot tolerate. Autumn is the best season, as it will benefit from the winter rains. It needs moist soil, as it does not tolerate drought, both in the atmosphere and in the ground. However, it adapts well to slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil, with a pH range of approximately 6 to 7.8. Before planting, soak the root ball in a bucket of water for fifteen minutes to ensure proper hydration. Dig a hole with sides and depth of 50 cm, mix planting compost with the existing soil, and even add some compost to improve water retention. Position the root ball, backfill around it, and water abundantly. 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, watering every two to three weeks will suffice. This bush is perfectly resistant to cold and heavy frost, but its young shoots can be destroyed by late frost: 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 occasionally, every four years, while keeping in mind that its growth is slow, so avoid severe pruning!

Willow diseases and pests:

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 April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Edge of border
Hardiness Hardy down to -20.5°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure 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, but light, deep and moist soil.

Care

Pruning instructions Prune the branches every 4 years, if necessary, to promote a dense habit and stimulate the growth of floriferous branches.
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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