WSU Clark County Extension
PNW Plants Searchable, categorized images
              

Dappled Willow

Scientific name: Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'
Taxonomy
Family:Salicaceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:4 to 9
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:15 ft
Width:15 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:March to April
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description With its bright pink shoots which open to creamy white and green variegated leaves, Dapple Willow can become a focal point in any yard.

  Morphology:
This is an attractive deciduous shrub or small tree. If the nursery sells it on a ‘standard’ rootstock it will develop into a small tree that grows to 15’ tall and as wide. If it is sold as a shrub it will eventually get much larger, unless it is severely pruned each year to maintain the starburst appearance.

The new growth is white and pink with subtle shades of green. Foliage eventually turns yellow in fall with late leaf drop. The limbs will have a weeping growth habit. During the winter months the new twig growth is brilliant red.

Over time even versions that started out as shrubs will attain somewhat of a tree shape. They are very agreeable to pruning.

Flowers consist of yellow catkins in early spring.
Since the pink-as-flowers summer leaves are most numerous on new branches, (some gardeners will not want it to get quite so wide & big) it can be pruned back early spring to maintain the starburst appearance and maximize new growth that will have the best summer leaf color and winter twig color.

  Adaptation:
This willow variant will grow well under nearly all site and exposure conditions, but prefers the sunny ones to develop the true pink leaf color. It will grow very well in wet soil.

  Pests:
Pest free in the Pacific Northwest.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234