Salix wilhelmsiana Care
Salix wilhelmsiana
A very decorative, fine-textured willow with silvery leaves, one of the most drought-tolerant willow species. It is excellent for low-water (xeric) gardens; for the best appearance it can be pruned hard at the end of winter.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Pruning: Preparation for the main pruning season can begin toward the end of the month.
- Plant protection: Apply dormant mineral oil if needed.
- General care: In winter, the fine branches provide decorative texture.
- Fertilizing: After pruning, a light compost application can be made but is not essential.
- Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
- General care: Pruned branches can be used as cuttings.
- Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.
- Watering: Only for newly planted seedlings, 15-20 L/week if it stays dry; reduce if there is rain.
- Fertilizing: If it was not done in February, it can be done lightly now; do not overapply.
- Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
- General care: After hard pruning, many new shoots grow quickly from the base.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Catkins (flowers) emerge together with the leaves.
- Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
- Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: This is the period when it shows its drought tolerance.
- Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Preparing for dormancy.
- Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
- General care: Its leaves turn yellow and fall. Clear the fallen leaves.
- Plant protection: Apply a copper-based preparation after leaf fall to prevent diseases.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
- Pruning: Get ready for pruning.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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