Salix cinerea - Gray Willow - Plant

Description

• Salicaceae Malpighiales
• Europe, Asia
• H 6m x L 6m
•  Z2 
• Perennial
• Synonyms : Common Sallow, Pussy Willow
• 1 plant bare root, male or female at random

-

Details

Salix cinerea is a deciduous shrub, with large, bright green leaves on their upper side, gray and downy on their underside

Its flowers with catkins, early in February or March

Flowers are nectariferous, polleniferous, and useful to bees

Salix cinerea is a dioecious species, with male plants and female plants

The Gray Willow grows in full sun, in moist soils near swamps and bogs - although resisting to drying soils in summer

It resists to wind very well and can be used to create windbreaks

The leaves and the bark of Salix cinerea have medicinal properties: Analgesic, Anti-Diarrheal, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Rheumatic, and Febrifuge

The plant contains Salicilin and Salicilic acid, from which Aspirin is made

Gray Willow can be used as a dye source in natural dyeing

Young leaves contain flavonoids, and give Pure Yellow to Golden Yellow colors, wash and light fast

Mature leaves contain tannins, which gives Ocher to Brown colors depending on the dye procedure, also wash and light fast

Salix cinerea is used in basketry

Its long twigs are harvested each year to then be woven into baskets

Common Sallow's bark is a source of tannins, and its wood is useful in carpentry and for making matches

-

Cultivation

Plant Salix cinerea in moist soil, in an open position, and in the sun, preferably in autumn and winter

No maintenance other than pruning if you wish to contain development or to harvest the twigs for craft
(withstands severe and regular pruning well)

Disease-free, pest-free

-

Harvest & Use

Harvest the young leaves while still tender in spring for low-tannin dyes
Harvest the leaves in August for tannic dyes that will give different colors

Dry well for later uses

Learn to Use Willow Leaves for Dyeing with our Courses:

Internship Natural Dye on Wool and Colorimetry

Internship Master Class: Compound Colors and Colorimetry