alix caprea 'Kilmarnock' – A Charming Weeping Willow with Early Spring Charm
Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock', commonly known as the Kilmarnock Willow or Weeping Pussy Willow, is a delightful small tree that adds beauty and interest to the garden year-round. Its unique, pendulous habit and soft, silvery catkins in early spring make it a standout choice for smaller gardens, patios, or as a feature plant in larger landscapes. This ornamental tree is a true harbinger of spring, bringing delicate, fuzzy blooms long before most other plants begin to flower.
With its weeping branches and fine, green leaves, 'Kilmarnock' is perfect for creating a striking focal point. Its graceful form and early-season blooms make it ideal for adding movement and a soft, airy feel to any garden setting.
Why Grow Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock'?
-
Early Spring Blooms – The soft, silvery catkins appear in early spring, offering a burst of freshness and adding interest before many other plants bloom.
-
Graceful Weeping Form – The plant’s distinctive weeping habit creates a lovely, cascading effect, perfect for adding structure and elegance to garden corners or patios.
-
Low-Maintenance – This tree is easy to grow, thriving in a variety of conditions with minimal care, making it a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
-
Wildlife-Friendly – The early catkins provide an important nectar source for bees and other pollinators, supporting wildlife as spring begins.
-
Compact Size – Its small stature makes it ideal for smaller gardens, courtyards, or as a feature tree in larger landscapes.
Planting & Care Guide
-
Position – Prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives in sheltered spots, where its weeping branches can be fully appreciated.
-
Soil – Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' does best in moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to most soil types, including slightly damp conditions.
-
Watering – Water regularly, particularly in dry periods. While it is relatively tolerant of wet conditions, it performs best with consistent moisture.
-
Maintenance:
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
- Remove any dead or damaged branches throughout the year to keep the plant looking tidy.
- If necessary, prune back more heavily in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts to encourage a full, bushy shape.
Perfect Plant Combinations Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock' pairs beautifully with early-season perennials like Primroses, Crocuses, and Snowdrops, creating a wonderful spring display. It also works well in more naturalistic plantings, combining effortlessly with grasses like Miscanthus or other water-loving plants such as Astilbe. For a whimsical, romantic garden, plant it alongside Aquilegia or forget-me-nots to enhance its soft, cascading form.
Its compact size also makes it an ideal choice for container gardening, where it can be planted with trailing plants or low-growing groundcovers to enhance its weeping form.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
