Salix alba ‘Britzenzis’ 15-30' × 12-15' Späeth intro, Britz, Germany, 1878. Also called S. a. var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’.
Fast-growing shrubby tree with highly ornamental red bark that starts yellow and graduates to coral. Especially splendid in the snowy winter landscape. Recommended for filling the winter flower vase. No water: just set the dormant branches in the vase and enjoy. The deep red stems will dry to a rusty red. The color is most striking on new growth, so give it an annual spring pruning or even cut it right to the ground. Every spring you’ll get new 5-10' red stems. Typically narrow Salix leaves.
Originally raised from seed by the famous nurseryman Ludwig Späeth whose lilac is one of the all-time favorites. Likes water, adaptable to a wide range of soils and conditions. Full sun to light shade. Z2. (1-3')
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 31
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
ships in spring
7568
Coral Bark Willow
Additional Information
Small Trees and Shrubs
As Green’s Nursery catalog from 1904 explains, “There are many trees that by pruning can be made to resemble shrubs, and many shrubs that by different pruning may be made to produce medium-sized trees.”
Willows Salix spp.
The genus Salix comprises hundreds of different species of plants most commonly called willows but sometimes called Osier or Sallow. Willows grow all over the world. Some, like the weeping willow, are towering specimens. Others are short scrubby bushes; willows growing in the arctic can be 100 years old but only 2' tall! Uses include ornamental landscaping, shade, basketmaking, erosion control, timber, fuel and medicine. All parts, especially the bark, contain salicin, used for relief of pain and fever for hundreds, or even thousands, of years. Aspirin is a synthetic analog of salicin. Willows feed local wildlife, insects and birds. We plant them near the orchard to provide early season forage for our native pollinators. All prefer sun and loamy wet soils, but are adaptable, easily transplanted and fast growing.
