Salix myrsinifolia aka Dark Leaf Willow

Salix myrsinifolia is a willow in the Salicaceae family. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves for winter. Its common names include dark-leaved willow and whortle willow. It is native to Europe and northwestern Siberia. Its range includes Britain and Ireland, too. The name Salix nigricans is a synonym for this species. Kew lists its life form as a tree. Garden sources call it a shrub that branches and grows upright.

The RHS gives a garden height of 8–13 feet (2.5–4 metres). Its account places many plants near 10 feet (3 metres). Full-grown plants spread about 5–8 feet (1.5–2.5 metres). They take five to ten years to reach full size. Fine, soft hairs coat the young stems. The dark green leaves have toothed edges. Fine hairs cover the top of each leaf. The lower side is smooth.

Catkins, the flower clusters, appear as new leaves open in spring. Chicago Botanic Garden gives May to June as bloom time there. The leafy shape and many branches suit screens or hedges. The RHS suggests cottage gardens and less formal planting, too. It also lists wildlife gardens, flower beds and borders. In these settings, the shrub grows among other garden plants. Leave room for its full height and spread.

Choose deep soil that stays moist but drains well. The RHS says to grow it in full sun. Chicago Botanic Garden lists part shade as suitable, too. The plant accepts clay, loam, sand and chalk soils. Soil can be acid, neutral or alkaline. Yet shallow chalk is a poor choice, despite this wide soil range. The RHS gives it a winter hardiness rating of H6. Chicago lists USDA zones 3–8 for the species. It suits both exposed sites and sites with shelter.

To grow new plants, take softwood cuttings in early summer. In winter, use hardwood cuttings as another way to grow them. Several pests may attack the shrub, so check its growth. These include caterpillars, sawflies and willow leaf beetles. Scale insects and aphids can occur, too. One such aphid is the large willow bark aphid. Diseases may include willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust. These risks do not mean that each plant will suffer. The supplied species accounts do not assess whether it is safe to eat. Nor do they assess whether it is toxic.