Preferred common name: Common Sallow
Other common names: grey willow, gray willow, gray sallow, sallow, sally
 The RHS Grey Sallow (Salix cinerea) is a large native deciduous hedge that can reach to 3 meters in height with stems up to 20cm. It is a rounded, bushy shape with multiple stems spreading out at, or near ground level. The bark is deeply fissured and greyish-brown in colour with grey-green branches, giving a splendid display. The abundant yellow flowers appear just before the leaves open in spring. They are about 1.5 cm. long, opening to reveal numerous white stamens tipped with yellow pollen. The female flowers are more upright and develop thicker pale green carpels which receive the pollen. The male catkins are silver at first, turning yellow when pollen is realised; female catkins are greenish-grey maturing in early summer.
The elliptic or lanceolate leaves are pointed rather than rounded tip; grey-green, lustrous above and glaucous below, with contrasting red veins. They are slightly hairy on the underside and measure up to 4 or occasionally 6 cm in length and 3 or sometimes 4 cm in width. The stipules of the leaves, gives the species its common name. These are small leafy appendages that grow on each side of the leaf stem, near the base of, but separate from, the leaf itself.
RHS Grey Sallow (Salix cinerea) is suitable for all positions and soils, but thrives most in light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. It prefers acid and neutral soils. However it cannot grow in the shade and requires dry moist or wet soil. It also propagates easily from branch cuttings that are inserted directly into the ground.
All Willow hedges are excellent for use on moist ground. The young willows should be planted 18ins (45cm) apart in two staggered rows 3ft (90cm) apart. Let the hedge develop normally for two or three years, then cut down one row to ground level one year and the other the next. By continuing this pattern, this will maintain a vigorous growth habit and it will control the overall height of the hedge.
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