Height60-100cm

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Fast-growing deciduous tree/shrub valued for striking deep violet/purple young stems with a silvery bloom in winter, attractive silky grey catkins in late winter/early spring, and wildlife benefits (nectar/pollen for bees and other pollinators). Suitable for ornamental winter interest, screening, coastal sites, erosion control, or coppicing. Fully hardy.

Planting tips

• When: Best in autumn (or any time ground is not frozen); autumn allows root establishment over winter with less watering needed.
• Where: Full sun (for best stem colour); moist but well-drained soil preferred (tolerates wet, clay, loam, sand; most pH levels; avoid very dry sites). Good in exposed or coastal positions.
• Size: Ultimately 4–8 m (sometimes taller) height and spread in 10–20 years if grown as a tree; keep smaller by annual hard pruning/coppicing for colourful stems.
• Spacing: 1.2–1.5 m from other plants (or closer, ~90 cm, for a dense colour block); keep well away from buildings, drains or foundations due to vigorous roots.
• How: Plant at the same depth as in the nursery; improve moisture retention with well-rotted compost or manure if needed. Water regularly until established. 
• Aftercare: Easy to grow. Coppice or hard-prune annually (or every 1–2 years) in early spring for best winter stem display.

Ideal for wildlife, cottage, coastal or informal gardens.

Photo credit: Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)