Grey willow (Salix atrocinerea)
Care, watering, light and tips for Grey willow on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Salicaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Grey willow
Salix atrocinerea, commonly known as rustselje, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa. It is characterized by its pubescent young branches and grayish bark, often with reddish hues. It is ideal for riparian restoration, naturalistic gardens, or as a solitary specimen in wet areas of the garden.
Native range
Western Europe and Northwest Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade for optimal development, although it tolerates partial shade. It needs abundant and constant watering, especially in summer, as it thrives in permanently moist or even waterlogged soils. It prefers deep, organically rich substrates with good water retention capacity. A common mistake is planting it in dry soils or with low humidity, which will severely limit its growth and vigor.
How to save a dying Grey willow
- Warning signs
- Yellow or brown falling leaves, dry and brittle branches. Lack of new shoots.
- First aid
- Water deeply if soil is dry. Prune dead branches with clean shears. Check drainage and sun exposure.
- What kills it
- Prolonged drought or constant waterlogging. Lack of sunlight. Excessive or ill-timed pruning.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not fully rotted or main trunk is not completely dry. Act quickly.