Blue Stem Willow (salix irrorata)

• Deciduous upright/bushy shrub (typically 2.5–3 m tall × 3–5 m spread) with striking purplish-violet young stems coated in a whitish-blue bloom, providing excellent winter interest.
• Early spring fluffy grey catkins (with red anthers on male plants) followed by narrow glossy green leaves (glaucous beneath).
• RHS Award of Garden Merit plant; fully hardy; good for wildlife, waterside, coastal sites, hedging/screens and low-maintenance gardens. 
• Fast-growing and responds well to hard pruning for compact size and intensified stem colour.

Planting & Care

• When: Late autumn to early spring while dormant and ground is not frozen or waterlogged. 
• Site: Full sun (tolerates light/partial shade); moist soil that stays damp in summer (ideal near water or in damp borders). Tolerates clay, loam or sandy soils and a wide pH range (acid to alkaline); flood-tolerant but prefers not permanently stagnant water.
• How: Incorporate organic matter into the planting hole; plant at the same depth as in the pot/nursery; water thoroughly. Allow space for mature spread.
• Aftercare: Water regularly for the first 2–3 summers during dry spells. Mulch in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Hard prune or coppice in late winter/early spring annually (or every 1–2 years) to maintain size and vibrant stem colour.