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Salix caprea Ogon - Goat Willow

Salix caprea Ogon
Goat Willow, Pussy Willow

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A beautiful yellow-leaved form of the goat willow. This is a small tree or a large bush reaching 3-4 m in height, bearing deciduous leaves which are slightly wavy and wrinkled at the edges. In spring, the young leaves are pink, then they turn to lemon yellow and light green in summer. Flowering occurs in March-April. It thrives in any soil that is not too dry and not too chalky, in a bright but not scorching exposure to protect its leaves.  
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
4 m
Spread at maturity
2.50 m
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -34°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time February to March
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Description

Salix caprea 'Ogon' is a variety of goat willow selected for its very beautiful spring foliage in yellow tones. A beautifully changing foliage, which attracts attention from spring to autumn. Its small development, beauty, and accommodating character regarding the soil also suit a beginner gardener with a modest-sized garden.

Salix caprea 'Ogon' is a horticultural selection. The species is commonly referred to as goat willow, willow of the goats, marsault, or grey osier. It belongs to the Salicaceae family. This is a deciduous tree native to Europe, especially central Europe, and to central and northern Asia. The goat willow is a pioneering and ubiquitous species, an essential plant less exclusively linked to wet places than most other species of the genus Salix.

The 'Ogon' willow generally forms a bush with a neat habit, but it can also be trained as a miniature tree with multiple trunks. Young subjects show rapid growth. Subsequently, growth slows down and the plant does not exceed 5 m in height. The older branches are olive green, quite thin and long, forming an airy, slightly irregular dome-shaped crown, with a spread of approximately 3 m. The young branches are reddish-brown and slightly hairy. Flowering occurs in late winter (March) or very early spring (early April), on the bare branches. The flowers are grouped in catkins, providing pollen and nectar to the first foraging insects. Just after flowering, young leaves that also decorative develop. They emerge pink, then take on a bright lemon-yellow hue. This yellow colouration lasts for 2 months. In summer, the foliage displays a bright light green colour. The leaves are smooth and soft to the touch. They are broadly elliptical, measuring 5 to 10 cm long, slightly wavy and somewhat wrinkled at the edge. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow again before falling.

Salix caprea 'Ogon' withstands very cold winters perfectly and is very easy to cultivate in most regions. Unlike most willows, it does not require moist or waterlogged soil throughout the year and is capable of withstanding moderate drought periods with good episodic watering. Prune it every year after flowering to encourage it to thicken and produce numerous floriferous branches. It should be placed as a specimen, surrounded by early flowering bulbs (snowdrops, spring crocus, fritillaries, hyacinths), in a free-standing hedge or at the back of a flowerbed with coppice shoots. It will be perfect in a naturally inspired garden with white dogwoods, for example. Consider composing bouquets with its branches adorned with silver catkins. In a vase, they beautifully accompany those of Prunus triloba, flowering cherries, and plums that the warmth of the house will open.

Properties:

Like all willows, this species contains a substance in its bark similar to aspirin. It is highly nectar-rich and honey-producing: the bees that forage on it produce honey of golden yellow colour, iridescent green, which takes on amber to beige reflections as it ages. Its flavour is sweet, floral and slightly woody. Its foliage was once used as fodder for goats.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 4 m
Spread at maturity 2.50 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour grey
Flowering time February to March
Flower size 4 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, honey
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour golden

Botanical data

Genus

Salix

Species

caprea

Cultivar

Ogon

Family

Salicaceae

Other common names

Goat Willow, Pussy Willow

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference22179

Planting and care

Plant the Goat Willow 'Ogon' in non-scorching sunlight, sheltered from strong winds that could uproot this young plant with its poorly developed root system. Place a sturdy stake that you can remove after 2 or 3 years of cultivation. It is not very demanding regarding soil as long as it has some depth to allow the bush to find a bit of moisture in case of drought. In warm regions, once the young plant is established, a generous watering every 15 days or 3 weeks will be more than sufficient. It will adapt well to light, stony, and sandy soil as well as heavy, clayey, very wet soil. A small amount of lime is not a problem. Ideally, at planting, use a mixture composed of half potting compost and half garden soil. It is perfectly resistant to cold and severe frosts. To encourage a bushy habit and the formation of branches bearing catkins, prune fairly short (5 cm) after flowering, every year. Protect all cut wounds with a healing paste.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Pond edge
Type of use Border, Back of border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -34°C (USDA zone 4) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Planting spacing Every 300 cm
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral, Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, ordinary, well-prepared

Care

Pruning instructions Prune the branches every year to 5 cm from their base to encourage a bushy habit and stimulate the growth of floriferous shoots.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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