Bleu Basket Willow – A Versatile Beauty for Crafts and Gardens
The Bleu Basket Willow is a versatile purpurea-type variety that is beloved by artisans for its flexible stems, perfect for making beautiful woven baskets and crafts. Its dark green and purplish red stems, along with bluish-green leaves, make for stunning fresh colours. Once soaked and dried, the rods take on a beautiful dark grey hue with hints of purplish red.
In addition to its practical uses, this willow is also deer-resistant, making it an ideal choice for gardens in areas with wildlife. And, with its resilient nature, it's easy to grow and can reach heights of up to 3.7 meters (12 feet) if allowed to grow into a full tree. With its abundance of new stems each season, it's perfect for coppicing, growing rods up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) in just one season. Plus, its eye-catching black catkins dry to a soft blue-grey/green colour, making it a beautiful addition to any garden.
Whether you're using it for living willow fences, garden structures, or creative projects, the Bleu Basket Willow is a beautiful and functional addition to your landscape. Its combination of aesthetic appeal and practical uses makes it a must-have for gardeners and artisans.
Growers Note:
Optimal planting distance for coppicing is 30 cm (12") between plants and 60 cm (24") between rows. Mulching and weed suppression are strongly advised for best results.
Hardiness Zone: 3
Height at Maturity: 4 meters (16 feet)
Spread: 9 meters (12 feet)
Soil Preference: Regular, Moist
Light Exposure: Full sun
Latin Name: Salix Purpurea 'Bleu'
