What soil does Dappled willow grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, acidic, calcareous.

Is Dappled willow hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Dappled willow be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Dappled willow be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

When does Dappled willow flower?

Flowering: March–May, yellow.

How much water does Dappled willow need?

Water need: high. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Dappled willow cost?

It sells for roughly €11 to €15 in local shops, depending on size.

Dappled willow

Salix integra

Dappled willow (Salix integra) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €11.

Illustration of Dappled willow — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Nurseries sell it almost only as the variegated cultivar 'Hakuro-nishiki': the spring shoots are dappled pink, white and green and turn mostly green by summer. It is usually offered as a clipped ball grafted on a stem 1 to 1.5 m tall, but it can also be grown as a bush, which reaches 2 to 3 m. It wants plenty of water and two or three trims a year: every cut brings a new flush of coloured shoots, while in scorching sun and dry soil the leaves burn.

Watch out for

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe the variegated leaves easily brown and scorch at the edges when the soil dries out or the plant stands in full sun all day; it stays attractive with afternoon shade and regular watering. The usual willow diseases (anthracnose, rust, scab, canker) and pests (aphids, leaf beetles, scale) can turn up on it. On grafted standards the stem does not grow any taller, and shoots breaking from the stem or the base must be removed at once or the rootstock will overwhelm the grafted head. Without trimming the head falls apart and turns green within a few years, and the plant is fairly short-lived, declining after 10 to 20 years.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: High
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–May, yellow

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1.5–3 m × 1.5–3 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–May, yellow
Water need	High
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €11

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-40 cm	approx. €11
size not stated	approx. €15

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Plants for containers

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

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