Salix Viminalis “Bowles Hybrid”
One of the most vigorous and hardy varieties of willow commonly available. Because of its fast rate of growth (up to 10 feet (3 m) or more in one year) it makes an excellent windbreak, and it tolerates wet, heavy soils and extreme conditions, such as cold winds on exposed sites or salty winds on the coast. Growth can be cut back each winter, providing heavy weaving material, or rods for living willow structures, and encouraging denser fresh growth, or left to grow taller and thicker which can be cut in later years for logs.
REF W777

Salix Triandra (Almond leaved willow)
This species prefers slightly less harsh conditions to Salix Viminalis, although is still very vigorous providing at least 6 ft (1.8 m) of fresh growth each year. It is necessary to cut back annually to obtain the fresh growth, which is ideal for fine rods for basket making. The straight rods of growth make this form of Willow very popular for basket making.

We offer three varieties of Triandra :-

Salix Triandra “Black Maul” Brown stems.
REF W778 

Salix Triandra “Norfolk” Very dark brown stems.
REF W779

Salix Triandra “Petite Grisette” Green stems.
REF W780

Salix Purpurea (Purple Willow)
Named for the colourful catkins. Generally a little smaller and slightly less vigorous than the above varieties, the more  slender elegant stems more than make up for this if you have a more sheltered location. Long, narrow leaves and at least 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) of fresh stem growth each year. It needs to be cut back annually to obtain the fresh growth, which is ideal for the straight, fine rods that make this form of willow very popular for basket making.

We offer three varieties of Purpurea :-

Salix Purpurea “Eugenii” Very slender green stems and very slender leaves.
REF W781 

Salix Purpurea “Lambertiana” Lime Green stems.
REF W782  

Salix Purpurea “Abbeys” Orange/Red stems.
REF W783

Salix Candida (American hoary-leaved willow or sage leaf willow)
A very attractive more ‘shrubby’ willow with thicker stems, growing 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m) per year in sheltered locations.  It has large “furry” grey-green leaves, with plump yellow catkins in the Spring.  Whilst ornamental in the garden, it is not a variety generally used for weaving, but can be used for decorative cut stems as well as additions to weaving projects.
REF W784 

Salix Matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ (Corkscrew, Contorted or Dragons Claw Willow)
An initially slower-growing, but stunning form of willow, with curling/twisting stem growth making a wonderful specimen tree.  Its growth is more vigorous once the plant is established, but regular pruning can be used to maintain a more compact size if preferred and this also encourages the extra “curly” younger growth.  It has glossy, green, slightly curled, narrow leaves which are retained much later than the other forms of willow we have and which come again very early in the spring.
REF W785

Salix Burjatica ‘Germany’
A fairly vigorous variety originally grown for bio-mass/fuel with slightly ‘furry’ stems that can grow up to 9 ft (2.7 m) long in one year (making it an alternative source of long whips for creating living willow structures).

It has quite large (but not ‘showy’ like Candida and Daphnoides Aglaia) catkins in late winter.
Ref  W786 

Coloured Willow Varieties :

Salix Alba Vitellina (Golden Willow) The slender whips are popular for basketmaking, but are most widely grown for the bright yellow stem colour for winter interest. They should be cut back annually in the spring to obtain the brightly coloured fresh growth. Usually the new stem growth will reach at least 6 ft (1.8 m) long in one season.
REF W787

Salix Alba Britzensis (Coral Bark Willow)
Mainly grown for the bright orangey/red stem colour as winter interest. They should be cut back annually in the spring to obtain the brightly coloured fresh growth. Usually the new stem growth will reach at least 6 ft (1.8 m) long in one season.
REF W788  

Salix Daphnoides Aglaia (Violet Willow) 
Mainly grown for the deep purple stem colour for winter interest and the large abundant silver catkins in late winter/early spring. Commonly used to attract pollinating insects to orchards. They should be cut back annually in the spring to obtain the brightly coloured fresh growth. The new stem growth can reach 9 ft (2.7 m) long in one season.
REF W789 

Salix Fragilis (Crack Willow)
Two-tone olive-green to yellow/orange stems. Cut back annually in the spring to obtain the brighter coloured fresh growth. Usually the new stem growth will reach at least 6 ft (1.8 m)  long in one season.
REF W790