Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis'
coral bark willow ( syn. Salix alba subsp. vitellina 'Britzensis' )
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This tree is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Fast
- Flowering period: May
- Hardiness:Fully hardy
'Britzensis' is a deciduous tree that is highly valued for its beautiful, colourful stems and striking winter appearance. Typically cultivated as a compact, multi-stemmed shrub, this medium-sized tree boasts bright red to orange-red new stems that emit a stunning glow throughout the winter season, which seem to intensify as spring approaches. Along with its yellowish catkins that bloom in the spring, it bears narrow, lanceolate leaves with finely-toothed edges that usually turn yellow in the autumn before dropping to the ground, revealing the spectacular stems. This coral bark willow is ideal as a colourful and hardy, standalone ornamental barrier or as an excellent addition as part of a mixed native hedge.
To find out more about how to plant a hedge, click here
To find out more about how to plant a hedge, click here
When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted compost in the planting hole. Although pruning is not necessary, the most vibrant winter stem colour is found on new growth. For an optimal display, trim the stems to 4” (10cm) annually during early spring, just as the leaf buds begin to swell. An alternative is to reduce one-third of the oldest stems every year during early spring to encourage the growth of new stems without leaving a blank area in your border.