Salix Viminalis - Common Osier Willow

Salix viminalis, commonly known as Common Osier, is a vigorous, fast-growing native shrub often found in wet or damp areas. Its yellow young shoots in spring and yellow-green catkins attract a variety of insects. Common Osier is best known for basket-making, living willow sculptures, and bio-fuel production. Environmentally, it can absorb heavy metals and is planted on contaminated sites for phytoremediation.

Thriving in wet, boggy soils, as well as chalk, coastal, and exposed areas, Common Osier is dioecious, with male and female catkins on separate plants. Its rapid growth and environmental adaptability make it ideal for screening, windbreaks, coppicing, waterside planting, and site reclamation.

This is the size and type we sell:

Salix viminalis Common Osier 60–80cm 0+1

Professionally grown and suitable for hedging, wildlife planting, riverbank stabilization, and environmental projects.

Features & Benefits

Vigorous native shrub with fast growth (≈1m/year)

Yellow-green catkins attract bees and other insects

Dioecious: male and female flowers on separate plants; seeds released in June

Ideal for basket-making, living willow sculptures, bio-fuel, and phytoremediation

Thrives in wet, boggy, coastal, and contaminated soils

Supports wildlife: early pollen for bees; habitat for butterflies and moths

Applications

Screening and windbreaks

Damp woodland and waterside planting

Mixed-species hedges

Contaminated site reclamation and water treatment systems

Coppicing for crafts, basket-making, or bio-fuel production

Height & Spread (Approximate)

After 10 years: 5m height x 5m spread

After 20 years: 5m height x 5m spread

Growth assumes suitable site conditions.

Botanical Name | Salix viminalis

Common Name | Common Osier

Plant Type | Deciduous shrub

Growth Rate | Fast (≈1m/year)

Mature Height | Up to 5–6m

Mature Spread | Up to 5–6m

Soil Type | Wet, boggy, chalky, coastal, and contaminated soils

Aspect | Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness | Fully hardy in the UK

Plant Size & Type | 60–80cm 0+1

Maintenance | Coppice in winter (1–4 year cycles depending on use); tidy damaged stems

Wildlife Value | Catkins provide pollen for bees; leaves feed butterflies and moths, including Lackey and Herald Moth