Swiss willow (Salix helvetica)
Swiss willow (Salix helvetica) is a shrub that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Swiss willow (Salix helvetica).
This plant is commonly known as Swiss willow.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Swiss willow
Scientific name: Salix helvetica
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Swiss willow (Salix helvetica) – Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
Other types of Salix to consider:
See all Salix
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Swiss willow (Salix helvetica), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Swiss willow (Salix helvetica) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in clay, loam or sand.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Salix helvetica likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Swiss willow (Salix helvetica) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Swiss willow (Salix helvetica) – I.Sáček, senior, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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