Salix viminalis aka Basket Willow

Salix viminalis is a willow in the Salicaceae family. Common names include basket willow, common withy, and velvet osier. Kew places its native range from central Europe to Siberia and Xinjiang. It grows in temperate regions and loses its leaves each year. In the wild, it grows beside rivers and streams. It also grows on deep, moist soils laid down by rivers.

This fast-growing plant forms a large shrub or small tree. RHS gives a garden height range of 13–26 feet [4–8 metres]. Its brief description gives a height of about 20 feet [6 metres]. The spread reaches about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Plants can reach their full size within two to five years. The young shoots shine and have a greenish-yellow hue. Narrow leaves have fine, silvery hairs on their lower sides. Slim, greenish catkins appear in late winter, before the leaves unfold.

Choose a site in full sun with soil that stays moist. RHS lists clay, loam, and sand as suitable soils. It calls for good drainage and acid or neutral soil. Avoid alkaline ground; PFAF also notes avoidance of very acid soils. RHS rates this willow H7 for cold hardiness. PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8. RHS suggests it for informal, coastal, and wildlife gardens. It also lists flower beds and borders as planting sites. Gardeners can raise plants from greenwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings taken in winter offer another way to grow it.

The bendable stems have a long-established use in basket making. Growers cut plants back each year to harvest these stems. A two-year cycle yields thicker poles for basket uprights. Plantings along rivers and lakes help hold soil in place. The bark provides tannin, and PFAF also lists use as fodder. These practical uses add value beyond its garden form. Aphids and caterpillars may attack the plant. Willow anthracnose, scab, canker, and rust may also cause problems.

PFAF gives this willow a low food-use rating. It lists inner bark, leaves, and shoots as edible parts. The inner bark can be eaten raw or cooked. Dried bark can be ground and mixed with grain flour. Its strong bitterness makes it a food for times of shortage. Young shoots can be cooked, but taste poor. PFAF reports no known hazards, rather than proof of safety. It also records traditional uses for fever and rheumatic complaints.