Shrub · Salicaceae family
Japanese willow
Salix integra
In short a 10-second read
Japanese willow (shrub) grows to 1.5–3 m tall and 1.5–3 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 1.5–3 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist
Soil: loamy, humus-rich, clay
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead, diseased or damaged branches, crossing branches and shoots growing in the wrong direction.
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does Japanese willow tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Japanese willow need?
At maturity 1.5–3 m wide and 1.5–3 m tall; recommended spacing 150 cm.
Does Japanese willow survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (12)
- GBIF — Salix integra
- Dučplant (SK) — Okrasné stromy do predzáhradky a malej záhrady
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- Wikipedia (EN)
- RHS - Salix integra
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
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