Hedges Direct 
Willow Hedge Salix alba
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Root types explained.
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Bare root
Field grown, bare roots are young plants that are only planted when they are dormant, from autumn to spring. We lift bare root plants and despatch them during the season but they can be pre-ordered in summer. As they are cheaper to grow, they are one of our most affordable hedge planting options.
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Pot grown
Pot grown plants can be planted year round and make a convenient option. They come in a wide range of sizes, from 10cm to 2.5m so they're suitable for the majority of planting requirements.
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Root ball
Also field grown, root ball plants are scooped out of the ground using machinery to keep their root system intact and wrapped in bio-degradable, hessian sacks. They are mature plants that provide dense coverage very early on, ideal for when you need a thick hedge quickly.
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Instant
Grown in troughs or bags that measure 50cm-1 metre in length and carefully clipped during the growing season. Our instant hedging troughs create a dramatic, instant hedge effect.
Key Features
AVERAGE GROWING
HAS BERRIES
HAS FLOWERS (Yellow)
Is Grazing Animal Friendly
Willow Hedge Plants Description
White Willow (Salix alba) is one of our UK native hedging species. Whereas Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) has narrow pointed leaves and Goat Willow (Salix caprea) rounded obvate leaves, White Willow has leaves midway between the two being long but oval shaped. They are distinctive in their colouring with a soft muted green colour on the upper with fine, silky, pale hairs to the undersides. The lovely silvery-white colour to the underside of its leaves is the reason it is so named.
Just prior to the appearance of the leaves in the spring, the White Willow develops catkins in abundance. The female catkins are silvery coloured, however the more noticeable male catkins are golden and extremely hairy but look attractive against the contrasting dark grey/brown bark. The male catkins are also full of nectar so good for early bees - and this species supports a total of 266 insect species and is particularly good for moths and caterpillars.
Willow along with Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is one of the few hedge species that tolerates and in fact grows most happily in moist or wet ground conditions. It is therefore ideal for waterlogged or poor draining gardens and it will even grow in poor soil conditions. It is worth noting however, that Willow's thirsty roots take up water from a large area, so it is best to avoid planting in close proximity to buildings. Willow also prefers sunny not shaded conditions in order to thrive and is salt tolerant so an ideal hedge species for coastal locations.
Salix alba has had many cultural and medicinal uses throughout its history. Its long, slender yet flexible branches were used in traditional basket weaving whilst its bark contains the phenolglycoside salicin, from which the everyday painkiller Aspirin is derived.
Vital Plant Information
Reviews
Plant Guarantee
Hedges Direct always supplies quality plants, however we know that sometimes plants have a mind of their own. With the Hedges Direct Green Guarantee, we've got you covered. Our 12-month guarantee is our 100% promise to you, that you can buy with complete confidence, that if any plants fail within 12 months, we will replace them when the guarantee conditions are met.
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Step 1
Root Grow & Fertiliser
Ensure you buy root grow and fretiliser with your plants at the time of purchase
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Step 2
Prepare Your Planting Area
Make sure your planting area is in good condition and suitable for planting
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Step 3
Plant & Feed
Plant with root grow & the second feed. Support plants if necessary. Water regularly
Pruning Advice
Willow requires little maintenance in terms of pruning to shape as it develops a good framework naturally. If required, cut out any dead, diseased or damaged branches to retain the overall health of the plant. Cut back to old wood if you wish to reduce the size of the hedge and encourage healthy new growth.