Rosemary Willow

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