Salix Cinerea - Grey Willow

Salix cinerea, commonly known as Grey Willow or sometimes Pussy Willow, is a small tree reaching up to 10 m, but more often forms a large shrub. Common throughout Britain, it thrives on wet sites, wasteland, and coastal areas. Its narrower leaves with greyish-white undersides distinguish it from Goat Willow. Grey Willow provides excellent wildlife value, particularly as an early pollen source for bees and as a food plant for butterflies.

Tolerant of very wet soils with low oxygen levels, it is ideal for woodland edges, hedgerows, reclamation sites, and wetland planting. Dioecious in nature, male and female catkins grow on separate trees, offering both silvery flowers and fluffy seeds.

This is the size and type we sell:

Salix cinerea Grey Willow 20–40cm Cell Grown

Salix cinerea Grey Willow 40–60cm 1+0

Professionally grown and suitable for hedging, woodland, wetland, and coppicing or pollarding projects.

Features & Benefits

Small native tree or large shrub with narrow greyish-white leaves

Early-flowering catkins provide pollen for bees

Dioecious: male and female catkins; seeds released in May

Thrives in wet, boggy soils; tolerates exposed and coastal sites

Supports butterflies including Purple Emperor and Camberwell Beauty

Suitable for woodland, hedgerows, reclamation, and coppicing

Applications

Woodland and wetland planting

Native hedges and reclamation sites

Conservation and biodiversity projects

Coppicing and pollarding

Mixed-species hedges

Height & Spread (Approximate)

After 10 years: 3m height x 3m spread

After 20 years: 4m height x 4m spread

Growth assumes suitable site conditions.

Botanical Name | Salix cinerea

Common Name | Grey Willow / Pussy Willow

Plant Type | Deciduous tree / large shrub

Growth Rate | Fast

Mature Height | Up to 10m

Mature Spread | Up to 4–5m

Soil Type | Wet, boggy soils; tolerates exposed and coastal sites

Aspect | Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness | Fully hardy in the UK

Plant Size & Type | 20–40cm Cell Grown; 40–60cm 1+0

Maintenance | Coppice or pollard in late winter; tidy damaged branches as required

Wildlife Value | Early pollen for bees; food plant for Purple Emperor, Camberwell Beauty, and other butterflies