Violet Willow

The foliage of our multi-stemmed Salix daphnoides, also known as Violet Willow, is bright green and has a glossy, waxy coating.

The leaf shape is similar to most willows, being slender and pointed and turning a golden yellow in autumn.

The catkins appear in spring and contrast markedly with the bright purple-violet stems.  

Native to Northern Europe, Central Asia and the Himalayas, this lovely tree was introduced into the UK in the late 1820s and won the Award of Merit in 1957.

The Violet Willow is an excellent choice for coppicing to show off its sensational purple-violet shoots overlaid with a white bloom.

Coppicing or pollarding can help manage the ultimate height of this pretty tree. Pruning such as this is best done in winter when the trees are not in leaf. The Violet Willow is, therefore, a great candidate for smaller gardens that have wet soil.

We also offer a single-stemmed Salix daphnoides tree, ideal for those seeking a more traditional appearance.

Mature Height: 7-12m

Common names

Violet Willow

Height of tree

7-12m

Soil type

Wet, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Multi-stemmed

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Award

Looks good in

Winter

Location

Garden, Parkland, Wetland