What soil does Rosemary-leaved willow grow in?

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

Is Rosemary-leaved 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 Rosemary-leaved 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 Rosemary-leaved willow be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 80 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 2.5 plants per metre.

When does Rosemary-leaved willow flower?

Flowering: March–May, yellow, silver.

How much water does Rosemary-leaved willow need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Rosemary-leaved willow

Salix rosmarinifolia

Rosemary-leaved willow (Salix rosmarinifolia) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium.

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

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

A fine-textured, airy willow shrub with narrow, rosemary-like grey-green leaves that are silvery and downy beneath, and small catkins in spring that give bees early food. It is a native shrub of wet meadows and sandy dune slacks: plant it in fresh or damp, even periodically wet soil in sun or part shade, in a naturalistic bed, by a pond or as a loose low hedge, as it takes pruning well. The true species often stays knee to waist high in the wild and makes a bush of 1 to 2 metres in the garden. Be aware that nurseries often sell the larger narrow-leaved form of the hoary willow (Salix elaeagnos 'Angustifolia') under this name, so ask about the expected size when you buy.

Watch out for

In lasting summer drought on fast-drying sand it thins out and sheds its leaves early unless watered. Like willows in general it may host aphids, leaf beetles, sawfly larvae, gall mites and willow scale, and among diseases rust, anthracnose (shoot and leaf spotting) and root rot. These rarely threaten the shrub: cut old, diseased stems out at the base in late winter, as it regrows quickly after hard pruning.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–May, yellow, silver

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1–2.5 m × 1.5–2.5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–May, yellow, silver
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
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	80 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	no data

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

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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