FLASH SALES: 20% off selected plants!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Salix viminalis - Basket Willow

Salix viminalis
Common Osier

18 reviews
4,4/5
14 reviews
1 reviews
1 reviews
0 reviews
2 reviews

Young plant that has taken well for now. It is developing beautiful dark green leaves. Waiting for the definitive recovery and rapid growth.

Nathalie F., 06/05/2023

Leave a review → View all reviews →

Select delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

This is the most well-known species of willow thanks to its shimmering branches in winter – a source of osier for basketry.
Height at maturity
5 m
Spread at maturity
4 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -34°C
Soil moisture
Damp soil
plantfit-full

Does this plant fit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time March to May
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The Salix viminalis, or Basket Willow, is the most well-known species of willow thanks to its shimmering branches in winter – a source of osier for basketry. These are very long, flexible, and fluffy branches. They are green-grey in colour, then yellowish-green to yellow-orange when mature.

From March to May, before leaves appear, this ornamental tree produces numerous green and yellow catkins. These catkins measure 3.5 cm (1.2 in) in length. The foliage of the Basket Willow is deciduous. It consists of long and narrow leaves, 15 to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The leaves are dark green on the upper side and silky and silver-white on the underside.

The Basket Willow can reach up to 6 m (19.7 ft) in height. It is a very hardy species that can live between 30 and 50 years. Native to Eurasia, it is mainly found along watercourses. You can plant it individually or in groups.

It is provided to you as bare-rooted in small size to create cost-effective hedges or mixed hedges.

Salix viminalis - Basket Willow in pictures

Salix viminalis - Basket Willow (Foliage) Foliage
Salix viminalis - Basket Willow (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 m
Spread at maturity 4 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Flowering time March to May

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Salix

Species

viminalis

Family

Salicaceae

Other common names

Common Osier

Origin

Central Europe

Other Willow - Salix

  1. Salix gracilistyla Mount Aso - Black Willow
    Salix gracilistyla Mount Aso - Black Willow
    6
    From €20.50 2L/3L pot

    Available in 4 sizes

  2. Salix sachalinensis Sekka - Sachalin Willow
    Salix sachalinensis Sekka - Sachalin Willow
    Out of stock
    From €14.90 3L/4L pot

  3. Salix acutifolia Blue Streak - Willow
    Salix acutifolia Blue Streak - Willow
    25
    From €14.90 3L/4L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  4. Salix fargesii - Farges Willow
    Salix fargesii - Farges Willow
    4
    -20% €26.00 €32.50 4L/5L pot

  5. Salix cinerea - Common Sallow
    Salix cinerea - Common Sallow
    10
    From €11.90 2L/3L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  6. Salix gracilistyla - Black Willow
    Salix gracilistyla - Black Willow
    Out of stock
    €17.50 3L/4L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  7. Salix purpurea Nana - Purple Willow
    Salix purpurea Nana - Purple Willow
    46
    From €3.30 12cm pot

    Available in 4 sizes

  8. Salix repens - Creeping Willow
    Salix repens - Creeping Willow
    7
    From €11.90 2L/3L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  9. Salix integra Flamingo - Flamingo Willow
    Salix integra Flamingo - Flamingo Willow
    14
    From €14.90 2L/3L pot

    Available in 3 sizes

  10. Salix caprea Kilmarnock - Great Sallow
    Salix caprea Kilmarnock - Great Sallow
    13
    €24.50 4L/5L pot

  11. Salix matsudana Tortuosa - Dragon's Claw Willow
    Salix matsudana Tortuosa - Dragon's Cla…
    6
    €17.50 2L/3L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  12. Salix helvetica - Willow
    Salix helvetica - Willow
    Out of stock
    From €14.90 2L/3L pot

  13. Salix integra Hakuro-Nishiki - Flamingo Willow
    Salix integra Hakuro-Nishiki - Flamingo Will…
    24
    From €8.90 2L/3L pot

    Available in 5 sizes

  14. Salix sachalinensis Golden Sunshine - Sachalin Willow
    Salix sachalinensis Golden Sunshine - Sachal…
    38
    From €4.90 12cm pot

    Available in 3 sizes

  15. Salix hastata Wehrhahnii - Willow
    Salix hastata Wehrhahnii - Willow
    5
    From €16.50 2L/3L pot

  16. Salix rosmarinifolia - Narrow-leaved Rosemary Willow
    Salix rosmarinifolia - Narrow-leaved Rosemar…
    10
    From €7.90 2L/3L pot

  17. Salix x erythroflexuosa - Willow
    Salix x erythroflexuosa - Willow
    6
    €15.90 3L/4L pot

  18. Salix magnifica - Willow
    Salix magnifica - Willow
    7
    -30% €34.30 €49.00 4L/5L pot

  20. Salix arctica Yalta - Willow
    Salix arctica Yalta - Willow
    Out of stock
    From €31.50 4L/5L pot

Planting and care

The Salix viminalis thrives in sunny locations. Plant it in deep, rich, and moist soil. From January to March, before new growth begins, prune the willow as a pollarded tree (in a ball shape at the top) to encourage the growth of young shoots. Trim dead wood and inner branches that cross each other to maintain the proper habit of the tree. It is supplied with naked roots in a small size to allow for the creation of cost-effective bocage or mixed hedges.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October to November
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Damp soil

Care

Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time January to March
Soil moisture Damp soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,4/5

Hedge shrubs

  1. Thuja occidentalis Brabant - Canadian Arborvitae
    Thuja occidentalis Brabant - Canadian Arborv…
    45
    From €4.70 8/9 cm pot

    Available in 4 sizes

  2. Camellia Nuccios Pearl
    Camellia Nuccios Pearl
    20
    From €24.50 2L/3L pot

  3. Pittosporum tenuifolium Emerald Dome - Kohuhu
    Pittosporum tenuifolium Emerald Dome - Kohuhu
    13
    From €14.90 2L/3L pot

  4. Grevillea juniperina
    Grevillea juniperina
    7
    From €18.50 3L/4L pot

  6. Cytisus scoparius Palette
    Cytisus scoparius Palette
    3
    From €12.50 2L/3L pot

  7. Hydrangea paniculata Levana
    Hydrangea paniculata Levana
    6
    €24.50 3L/4L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  8. Hamamelis japonica Pendula - Witch Hazel
    Hamamelis japonica Pendula - Witch Hazel
    6
    €55.00 6L/7L pot

  9. Deutzia compacta Lavender Time
    Deutzia compacta Lavender Time
    17
    From €16.50 3L/4L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  11. Amelanchier lamarckii
    Amelanchier lamarckii
    31
    From €12.50 3L/4L pot

    Available in 5 sizes

  12. Choisya ternata Scented Gem - Mexican Orange Blossom
    Choisya ternata Scented Gem - Mexican Orange…
    36
    From €4.90 8/9 cm pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  14. Ribes rubrum Blanka - Whitecurrant
    Ribes rubrum Blanka - Whitecurrant
    5
    From €11.50 1L/1.5L pot

    Available in 2 sizes

  15. Escallonia laevis Gold Ellen
    Escallonia laevis Gold Ellen
    7
    From €14.90 2L/3L pot

  16. Camellia Royal Velvet
    Camellia Royal Velvet
    3
    From €39.50 4L/5L pot

  17. Cotoneaster franchetii
    Cotoneaster franchetii
    35
    From €10.50 2L/3L pot

    Available in 3 sizes

  18. Ilex crenata Dark Green - Japanese Holly
    Ilex crenata Dark Green - Japanese Holly
    47
    -30% €13.65 €19.50 2L/3L pot

    Available in 3 sizes

  19. Fargesia demissa Gerry
    Fargesia demissa Gerry
    17
    -20% €36.00 €45.00 4L/5L pot

  20. Sambucus nigra Korsor - Black Elder
    Sambucus nigra Korsor - Black Elder
    Out of stock
    From €8.90 1.5L/2L pot

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Let's find plants fitting with your garden!