GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Goat Willow

Salix caprea · Tree

Hardiness
H6 Hardy — very cold winter (to −15 to −20°C)
Position
Full sun
Height × Spread
8–10 m × —
Soil
Deep moist well-drained soil; moderately fertile; dislikes shallow chalk soils
Flowering
March–May
Toxicity
No specific toxicity is listed by the RHS. This is not a guarantee of safety — check with a vet or the ASPCA before pets or children eat any plant.

The Gardening Year

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🌸 In flower

Watch out for

Willow Anthracnose: Rake up and destroy fallen leaves to reduce spore load and prune out severely infected shoots promptly.

Willow Rust: Control is rarely necessary as damage is minimal; remove alternate hosts like Euonymus if feasible to break the cycle.

Willow Canker: Prune out affected branches well below the visible damage during dry weather to prevent spread.

Aphids: Encourage natural predators like ladybirds and lacewings, or wash off infestations with a strong jet of water.

Willow Scale: Prune out heavily infested branches and encourage parasitic wasps which naturally control scale populations.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/goat-willow © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia