Shrub
Dappled willow 'Hakuro-nishiki'
Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki'
A compact deciduous willow grown for pink, cream and green young foliage. It prefers moist soil and good light, reaches about 1.5–2.5 m as a shrub, and responds well to regular pruning that encourages fresh coloured shoots.
- Size
- 1.5–2.5 m high · 1.5–2.5 m wide
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- High
- Winter
- Hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Choose moisture-retentive but drained soil and do not place it where the root zone will dry out repeatedly.
- Check whether the nursery plant is a natural shrub or a top-grafted standard, as the resulting form and pruning needs differ.
Why choose it
- Young pink and cream-coloured leaves become predominantly green as summer progresses, so the foliage display changes through the season.
- Its compact size works well beside water, in borders and as a small focal shrub.
Care
- Water consistently during establishment and dry weather; this willow performs poorly if repeatedly drought-stressed.
- Prune in late winter or early spring when a compact crown and a strong flush of colourful young shoots are wanted.
Good to know
- On a top-grafted standard, pruning controls the crown; the clear trunk and graft height largely determine the overall form.