Dappled Willow ‘Hakuro-nishiki’| Plant Profile

Dappled Willow ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ (Saliz intergra) are compact deciduous willows that only grows to 6′ tall. The foliage is variegated, meaning there are multiple colors on each leaf. Young leaves sprout as pink but turn to white and green. The stems may turn red in fall bringing surprising winter interest.

Dappled Willow prefers fertile, consistently moist, well drained soil in full sun to part shade.

Dappled Willow are attractive enough to be planted singularly as focal points or grouped to create informal shrub borders. Their affinity for consistently moist soil makes them attractive additions to pond, stream, or lake banks.

Dappled Willow require some maintenance to reach their full potential. Cutting back the stems each year can help to encourage new growth and keep the plant compact. Pruning is not necessary but can be done if desired. These willows have some tolerance for wet or dry soils, as long as the variation is temporary.

There are several potentially dangerous disease and insect issues that often plague willows. Blights can include crown gall, powdery mildew, leaf spot, and cankers. Some insect visitors may include beetles, caterpillars, scale, and borers.