Goat Willow Hedge Salix caprea

Goat Willow (Salix caprea) is one of our UK native hedging species. Whereas Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) has narrow pointed leaves, Goat Willow (Salix caprea) has rounded obvate leaves. They are distinctive in their colouring with a soft muted green colour on the upper with fine, silky, pale hairs to the undersides.

Just prior to the appearance of the leaves in the spring, Goat Willow develops catkins in abundance. The female catkins are silvery coloured, however the more noticeable male catkins are golden and extremely hairy but look attractive against the contrasting dark grey/brown bark. The male catkins are also full of nectar so good for early bees - and this species supports a total of 266 insect species and is particularly good for caterpillars and goat moths, from which Goat Willow gets it's name.

Willows, along with Alder (Alnus glutinosa) are one of the few hedge species that tolerates and in fact grows most happily in moist or wet ground conditions, although Goat Willow is one of the few willows which can grow in dry as well as chalky soil. However, it is still ideal for waterlogged or poor draining gardens and it will even grow in poor soil conditions. It is worth noting however, that Willow's thirsty roots take up water from a large area, so it is best to avoid planting in close proximity to buildings. Willow also prefers sunny not shaded conditions in order to thrive and is salt tolerant so an ideal hedge species for coastal locations.