Purple willow, Salix purpurea, Violet willow S. daphnoidesCultivars, including hybrids, include 'Abbeys', 'Helix', 'Forbyana' and 'oxford violet'. Salix irrorata is an exotic from south western America. Sources of seed and plants Purple willow is native to Britain and widely distributed but only locally common. It requires wet places and grows on alkaline fens and most alluvial soils of calcareous origin. Violet willow is not a native. It forms a small tree 10 or 12 metres tall. Planting stock of Purple and Violet willow is produced by rooting hardwood cuttings derived from stool beds; they coppice strongly. Protection and resistance Cultivars of Purple and Violet willow are valuable for sites exposed to salt-bearing winds - `Abbeys' `Forbyana' and `Helix'. The cultivar `oxford Violet' has been used to plant spoil heaps in north west England. Salix irrorata is a garden shrub providing purple stem colour in winter. |
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