Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow - Evergreen Trees Direct

Salix babylonica - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

$140.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.6m – 2.1m Approx

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 10m

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica, the Weeping Willow, is a fast growing deciduous tree with a broad domed crown and long pendulous branchlets that sweep almost to the ground. The narrow linear leaves are soft green through the warmer months, turn butter yellow and fall, leaving a fine curtain of golden stems over winter.

It wants full sun and consistently moist ground, and does best beside dams, creeks and lake edges where the roots can find permanent water. Growth runs to roughly 1 to 2 metres a year. Fully frost hardy, it suits cool and warm temperate districts but sulks in prolonged dry soil.

Plant it in parks, on rural properties and in large open gardens where a canopy 8 to 10 metres across is an asset rather than a problem. Keep it well clear of paving, drains and septic lines. Given the space it asks for, little else delivers shade and presence so quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Weeping Willow

What is a Weeping Willow?

Salix babylonica is a large deciduous tree from the willow family, grown for its arching frame and long trailing branchlets. The fine linear foliage moves with any breeze, which is where much of its appeal comes from. It is not an Australian native, and it has been planted here for well over a century in parks and beside water.

How big does a Weeping Willow grow?

Expect 10 to 15 metres in height with a spread of 8 to 10 metres in open ground with reliable moisture. The canopy is broad and domed rather than upright, so width matters as much as height when you are siting it. Plants in drier positions or restricted soil volumes will sit at the lower end of that range.

How fast does it grow?

Around 1 to 2 metres a year once established, which makes it one of the quickest shade trees available. That speed depends on water. In moist soil with full sun it romps away, and a young tree can look settled within three or four seasons. On dry sites growth slows noticeably and the canopy stays thinner.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. The leaves yellow and drop through the colder months, leaving the bare weeping framework visible, which many people consider the tree at its most graceful. New growth breaks early in spring, often before other deciduous trees. Plan for leaf litter in autumn if the tree overhangs a pond or a lawn you like to keep clean.

Does it have invasive roots?

Yes. Willow roots are vigorous and water seeking, so they will find drains, septic systems and irrigation lines if those are close by. Keep the tree at least 10 to 15 metres from buildings, paving and services. In parkland and beside farm dams this is rarely a concern, though it is worth avoiding natural creek lines where willows can spread.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

Cool and warm temperate regions suit it best, so Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, inland and coastal New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills and southern Western Australia. It handles cold winters without trouble. In hot dry inland areas it will still grow well provided irrigation is reliable. Humid tropical zones are less suitable.

How do I care for a Weeping Willow?

Water deeply and often for the first two summers, then rely on natural moisture if the tree sits near water. Mulch the root zone and keep grass off the trunk. Prune in late winter to lift the skirt and remove crossing or damaged limbs. Willows shed small branches, so an annual tidy keeps the frame strong and the shape balanced.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Rural Property Planting
Avenue Planting

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow Evergreen or Deciduous?

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 10m

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

Is Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow frost tolerant?

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow Flower?

Salix babylonica produces slender, yellow-green catkins in early spring before the foliage emerges. While not showy, these flowers are valuable for early pollinators and contribute to the tree’s graceful seasonal cycle, which is defined more by its cascading habit and fresh spring foliage than by its blooms.

Does Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow an Australian Native Tree?

No

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is Native to Native to northern China, where it grows along rivers and wetlands. Now cultivated worldwide as one of the most iconic weeping trees.

What is the Wildlife Value of Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow ?

Its broad, cascading canopy provides excellent shelter for small birds, while its early-season catkins offer an important pollen source for bees and other beneficial insects when few other trees are flowering. The tree’s dense structure and moisture-seeking roots also help support a diverse range of fauna in riparian and garden environments.

How much Sunlight does Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow need?

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Salix babylonica performs best in moist loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will tolerate heavier clay soils provided there is reliable moisture, making it well suited to dam edges, creek banks and wet areas of the garden. Avoid excessively dry, shallow or compacted soils unless supplemental watering is available, as these conditions can limit growth. Keep the soil consistently moist during establishment, then maintain regular watering as the tree matures for optimal health and vigour.

Is Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow Drought Tolerant?

Is Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish properly. Once established, Weeping Willows develop moderate drought tolerance but perform best with consistent soil moisture, particularly in hot or exposed positions. They will survive dry spells but thrive when their moisture needs are met, maintaining dense foliage and strong seasonal growth.

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How To Plant Your Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast) (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Salix babylonica - Weeping Willow in Different Soil

Salix babylonica performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How fast does Salix babylonica grow?
It is known for its fast growth rate, often adding several meters in a single growing season.

Q: Can Salix babylonica be planted in smaller gardens?
Due to its size and root system, it is best suited for larger spaces where its roots and branches have room to spread.

Q: What maintenance does Salix babylonica require?
Regular watering and annual pruning to remove any dead or damaged branches will keep it healthy and maintain its shape.