Purple osier willow (Salix purpurea x viminalis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Purple osier willow on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Salicaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Purple osier willow
Salix purpurea x viminalis, known as 'Rød pil' or red willow, is a vigorous hybrid valued for its slender, flexible branches with reddish hues, particularly intense in winter. It's ideal for living fences, basketry, or as an ornamental feature in damp and riparian gardens. Its shrubby habit and attractive color make it stand out in winter landscapes.
Native range
Europe and Western Asia
Care tips
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist, even waterlogged, soils, being tolerant of a wide pH range. Watering should be abundant, especially during dry periods or establishment. To maintain its shape and encourage branch color, perform severe annual pruning in late winter or early spring. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can stress the plant and reduce the intensity of its branch color.
How to save a dying Purple osier willow
- Warning signs
- Yellow or brown falling leaves, soft or dry shoots, general lack of vigor.
- First aid
- Check watering (constantly moist soil), prune dry branches, ensure good drainage.
- What kills it
- Prolonged drought or constant waterlogging. It doesn't tolerate dry or waterlogged soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, it's a hardy plant. Act quickly by correcting watering and exposure.