Salix irrorata Tree

Known as a Blue Stem Willow, the young shoots are purple and the stems develop a striking white bloom in winter which can have a bluish appearance. In early spring, Salix irrorata displays grey catkins that have red anthers. The slender leaves provide texture and when they fall in autumn, the silvery-white stems take centre stage.

Salix irrorata can be grown as a single stem or multi stem tree, with the single stem form reaching a modest 4 x 2.5 metres in 20 years. An excellent choice for smaller gardens, this Willow has also received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

AKA Blue Stem Willow

• Common name: Blue Willow tree
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 4x2.5 metres
• Season of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
• Foliage: Slender green deciduous foliage
• Position: Full sun or partial shade

Planting Advice for Salix irrorata Trees

Our pot grown White Stem Willows can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place in the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost. Use to fill in the hole, then firm around gently, avoiding banking soil up around the tree collar. We recommend planting single stem forms of Willow with a stake and tie kit for support.

Aftercare Advice for Salix irrorata Trees

If you’re planting Willow in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Irrigation kits make it easier.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. Rabbits like Willow, so if your areas is prone to rabbits we recommend using a rabbit guard.

Pruning Salix irrorata Trees

Allow young White Stem Willow trees to grow unpruned for the first year. This will give it the time it needs to develop a natural shape. From then on you can prune damaged, or diseased branches at any time of the year. To encourage a clear stem on the single stem forms, prune the lower branches in winter.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.