Wonderful willow has many uses

THERE are several species of willow (Salix spp.) that are native to Ireland.

Even though they vary in size, colour and growing habit, they all tend to be fast growing and thrive happily in moist or wet soils, making them an ideal plant for those wet areas in your garden. They are often called “sallies’ derived from both their latin and gaelic (Saileach) name or ’pussy willows’ due to the furry flower buds and catkins.

Though willow produces seed, seldom is it grown from seed as it is possibly one of the easiest woody plants to grow from cuttings. By sticking a 1m length of willow halfway in the ground in winter, rooting is generally successful. Willow also has the ability to aid in the propagation of other plants. The reason is that willow cuttings secrete a kind of magic rooting water-soluble hormone called auxin that stimulates spring growth and encourages root development. Because of this any willow cuttings placed in a container of water will enrich that water with the same hormones that promote root growth. This hormone-rich blend is known as willow water or willow tea. Thus by placing cuttings of other plants in the same vessel, they too can draw on the auxin secreted by willow and generally respond by striking roots. Some rooting powders use artificially made auxin as the active ingredient. Alternatively use willow water for watering cuttings.