Rosemary-leaved willow

The Rosemary-leaved Willow (Salix rosmarinifolia) is a small shrubby willow with particularly fine and elegant foliage. Its narrow grey-green leaves, with a pale and slightly downy underside, resemble rosemary leaves and give the plant a light, refined appearance.

In early spring, it produces small yellow to reddish-yellow catkins, often before the foliage is fully developed. As with many willows, this early flowering period provides a useful source of food for bees and other pollinating insects.

It gradually forms a dense, rounded shrub, generally reaching around 1.5 to 2.5 metres in height and a similar spread. Its moderate size makes it suitable for small gardens, naturalistic plantings, informal hedges and landscape schemes.

Very hardy, the Rosemary-leaved Willow grows well in full sun or partial shade and adapts to a wide range of soils. It prefers soils that remain reasonably moist to damp, although established plants are quite adaptable. It also tolerates wind and exposed conditions well.

Its foliage turns yellow in autumn before falling. This is a particularly useful species for wildlife-friendly gardens and naturalistic planting.

Botanical name: Salix rosmarinifolia
Flowering period: March to April
Flowers: Yellow to reddish-yellow catkins
Pollinator value: Good
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Adaptable, preferably moist to damp
Foliage: Deciduous, narrow, grey-green with a pale underside
Autumn colour: Yellow
Habit: Bushy, rounded
Mature height: Approx. 1.5–2.5 m
Mature spread: Approx. 1.5–2.5 m
Hardiness: Excellent
USDA zone: Approx. 4b–9a
Uses: Border, informal hedge, wildlife garden, bank, landscape planting