- Partial Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 10 - 15 Feet
- Mature Width 15 - 20 Feet
- Growing Zones 4 - 7
For a unique, eye-catching shrub or small tree that can add exceptional interest to a landscape, consider the rosemary willow. The narrow, rosemary-like leaves emerge grayish green in spring. By summer, the tops of the leaves turn a dark green while the undersides develop a silver hue. The smooth bark and red branches add further interest. Under the right growing conditions, the rosemary willow may develop an attractive yellow fall color. Scientifically known as Salix elaeagnos, it is sometimes also referred to as hoary willow.
The rosemary willow’s striking foliage is far from its only noteworthy attribute. It is easy to grow and fairly low maintenance, typically requiring no more than a biennial hard pruning to thrive in the correct location. It tolerates urban pollution and a range of soil types and moisture levels. You can prune this willow as a single-trunk tree and use it as a specimen plant. Because of its spreading habit, it is also a solid candidate for hedges and screening and will naturalize in woodland gardens.
Rosemary Willow Care
Rosemary willow prefers a site with full sun to partial shade. Ideally, the soil should be moist but well drained. It is adaptable and can even tolerate standing water and a range of soil types and pH levels. This plant does tend to spread, however, so choose a site where it can be kept in check or position it where its spreading habit is welcome. Falling foliage and catkins can also generate a bit of a mess seasonally; bear this in mind when choosing a planting site for the rosemary willow.
This shrub willow can be pruned in a variety of ways to fulfill different landscape goals. To grow it as a medium shrub, cut the willow back severely to nearly ground level every year or two in late winter before new growth emerges. It is also possible to train the willow to grow as a small tree by choosing one central leader and removing any competing branches from the base.
Rosemary Willow Spacing
The rosemary willow grows up to 10 to 15 feet tall with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. With regular hard pruning every year or two, however, the shrub height and spread will stay under 6 feet. Give this willow 6 to 8 feet of space when growing it as a hedge, or give it a clearance of 20 feet around if it will not be regularly pruned or to cultivate it as a tree.
Rosemary Willow Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 7 |
Plant Type: Trees |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 10 - 15 Feet |
Mature Spread: 15 - 20 Feet |
Mature Spacing: 15 - 20 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous, Variegated |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: N/A |
Tolerates: N/A |
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Specimen or Focal Point |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: Rosemary Willow |
Other Name(s): Rosemary Willow, Hoary Willow |
Scientific Name: Salix elaeagnos - Rosemary willow |
- SKU:
- 1231014114-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.