Goat Willow Hedging – Salix Caprea

£2.49£68.79

Salix caprea, commonly known as Goat Willow or Pussy Willow, is a native deciduous tree or shrub in the UK, celebrated for its charming catkin flowers, adaptive qualities, and considerable benefits to wildlife.

Goat Willow Hedging – Salix Caprea

Salix caprea, commonly known as Goat Willow or Pussy Willow, is a native deciduous tree or shrub in the UK, celebrated for its charming catkin flowers, adaptive qualities, and considerable benefits to wildlife.

Description and Characteristics

The Goat Willow typically grows to a height of 4-8 metres (13-26 feet) when used for hedging, but can reach up to 12 metres (39 feet) when grown as a standalone tree. Its broad, grey-brown bark is fissured in mature specimens, and the oval leaves are green on top, with a grey, downy underside.

This hardy plant has a moderate growth rate, typically adding 30-60cm (12-24 inches) per year, and can live for up to 300 years in optimal conditions.

Flowering, Fruits, and Reproduction

One of the first trees to bloom in early spring, Goat Willow is widely recognised for its silvery, furry catkins (thus the name Pussy Willow), which later turn yellow as they release pollen. These are followed by green, capsule-like fruits that split open to release numerous cotton-like seeds.

The flowers are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate trees. The male catkins are yellow and the female ones are green and less conspicuous.

Benefits to Wildlife

The Goat Willow offers notable benefits to wildlife. Its early blooming catkins are an essential source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. The leaves are a food source for caterpillars of several moth species, while the seeds are eaten by birds.

Ideal for British Gardens

The Goat Willow is a great choice for British gardens due to its early spring interest, resilience, and adaptability to different growing conditions. It can tolerate poor soil and a range of pH levels, and it thrives in full sun or partial shade.

As a hedging plant, it creates a dense, windproof barrier, but it can also serve as a specimen tree. Its catkins bring early spring charm, making it a popular choice for wildlife and woodland gardens.

Distribution in the UK

As a native species, Goat Willow is common throughout the UK, found in woodlands, hedgerows, and scrubland.

In summary, the Goat Willow, with its early blossoms, adaptability, and substantial benefits to wildlife, is a fantastic choice for British garden designs. Whether you’re looking to create a wildlife-friendly garden, an attractive hedge, or simply want an early-blooming tree, Salix caprea is an excellent option.

Style

Full Standard, Boxhead, Feathered, Multi Stem, Pleached, Half Standard Pleached, Umbrella, Half Standard, Espalier, Mini Standard, Ball, Cone, Spiral, Cube, Cloud Form, Cube Spiral, Cube Multiball, Cube Ball Cone, Pom-pom, Lollipop, Archway, Twisted Stem, Triple Lollipop, Multiball 2, Multiball 3, Dome, Cylinder, Pyramid, Cylindrical Dome, Twisted Stem, Unique, Bonsai, Instant Hedge, Instant Screen, Hedging Plants, Young Tree, Regular Tree

Root Type

Pot Grown, Rootball, Bare Root

Height

15-30cm, 30-50cm, 50-70cm, 70-90cm, 90-110cm, 110-130cm, 130-150cm, 150-170cm, 170-200cm, 200-230cm, 230-250cm, 250-270cm, 270-300cm, 300-350cm, 350-400cm, 400-450cm, 450-500cm, 500-600cm, 600-700cm, 700-800cm, 10-20cm, 20-30cm, 30-40cm, 40-50cm, 50-60cm, 60-70cm, 70-80cm, 80-90cm, 90-100cm, 100-110cm, 110-120cm, 120-130cm, 130-140cm, 140-150cm

Stem Girth

4-6cm, 6-8cm, 8-10cm, 10-12cm, 12-14cm, 14-16cm, 16-18cm, 18-20cm, 20-22cm, 22-24cm, 24-26cm, 26-28cm, 28-30cm, 30-35cm, 35-40cm, 40-45cm, 45-50cm, 50-60cm, 60-70cm, N/A, 20-25cm, 25-30cm

Foliage Type

Deciduous

Origin

Native

Water Requirement

Moderate Watering

Growth Height

Medium Growing

Growth Speed

Moderate Growth

Costal Growing

No

Conifer?

No

Flowering?

Yes

Hard Wood Cutbacks?

0

BUY MORE TO SAVE MORE!

Use any of the codes below at checkout to save on your plants.

Use Code: LARGE5 to get 5% off when you spend £500.

Use Code: LARGE7.5 to get 7.5% off when you spend £1000.

Use Code: LARGE10 to get 10% off when you spend £2000.

Use Code: LARGE15 to get 15% off when you spend £5000.

STANDARD DELIVERY TYPES

Box/Parcel – Used for plants sized 0-70cm, costs £12. Order £100 worth of plants of that size to qualify for free delivery! Parcel deliveries are always sent for next day delivery unless otherwise specified.

Pallet – Used for plants sized 71-230cm, costs £60. Order £350 worth of plants to qualify for free pallet delivery! We always send our pallets for next day delivery, unless requested otherwise.

Private Van – Used for plants sized 231cm and taller, costs £60. Order £350 worth to get free private van delivery!

In all cases you can request a private van delivery, where your plants are delivered by us. Upon your request we can re-evaluate your delivery fee and let you know of the delivery time.

Please note, for pallet and box deliveries we use third party companies to deliver the goods. Not often, but occasionally some delays may happen due to unforeseen circumstances, which are out of our control. For this reason, we ask you to never book gardeners, contractors, or other industry professionals for the estimated delivery date. Please do not book days off work or cancel other commitments specifically for your plant delivery to avoid disappointment.

Not home? No problem!

If you are not home at the time of your delivery, don’t worry! With your permission, we will instruct our trusted couriers to leave your plants in a safe place. If you have any requirements, or a preferred safe place for your plant delivery, please ensure to leave us a note along with your order, or simply give us a call.

Specialized Delivery

If you have any special requirements regarding your delivery, please add it to your order notes or call us on 01603 327269. Always include any delivery restrictions into your order note so appropriate vehicles and good carriers can be used to deliver your plants.

Please note that we currently are unable to deliver to Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland due to Brexit rules and regulations.

For more delivery information refer to our terms and conditions here.

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