Salix caprea Pendula Top worked at 120cm 12ltr pot

Salix caprea 'Pendula' – Kilmarnock Willow, Top-Worked at 120cm (12L Pot)

The Kilmarnock willow, or weeping pussy willow, is a charming little tree that suits even the smallest garden. Its heavily weeping branches fall steeply from the top of a clear stem to form a neat umbrella shape. In early spring, before the leaves appear, the bare stems are studded with large, silky grey catkins that burst into fluffy golden-yellow pollen, an early feast for bees. Oval mid-green leaves follow through summer. It was discovered on the banks of the River Ayr in Scotland in the mid-1800s and first propagated by Thomas Lang of Kilmarnock, and it's been a cottage-garden favourite ever since.

This tree is top-worked onto a 120cm stem, so the weeping head sits at eye level and stays compact, reaching around 1.5m x 1m after 10 years. It's ideal for small gardens, borders and large patio pots. Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist soil. It tolerates coastal conditions. Once the catkins have finished, thin out congested shoots to keep the head open and tidy, and rub off any shoots that appear on the stem below the graft.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.