We sell willow cuttings for propagation. These hardwood cuttings are an easy and reliable way to grow new willow plantings. The willow varieties in the table have grown well at Dunbar Gardens in northwest Washington. Most of them are very useful for basket making; some are good for hedges, living fences, sculptural work, or garden ornamentals. There will be variation in the color of both the fresh and dried rods. Order instructions and prices are farther down the page.

Other Salix varieties available: Lancashire Dicks, Welch, Reeks, Black German, Noir de Challans, Grisette Droda, Multinervis, Mawdesley, Kottendheider Weide, Long Bud, Forbyana, Irette, Fanny’s White, Basfordiana Farndon, Rouge Ardennais, Laurina, Wantage Hall, Bouton Aigu, Belgian Red, (not)Americana

We make an effort to identify the willows correctly, but willows can be challenging. Willows are a large genus of dioecious plants (separate male and female plants). There are many hybrids and taxonomy is difficult. The common names are useful but there is always the possibility that plant material has been mislabeled. We make an effort to identify the varieties using the information that we received along with the original cuttings. Our emphasis is on passing along varieties that are useful and at a reasonable price.

How to order: Whoa Nellie! Due to a really early Spring out here on the west coast and loads of orders Steve has stopped taking orders. You are welcome to email to be added to a wait list. If we do have more available we will start emailing by date. Please do not telephone. Steve will not return your call. Thanks! If you want to find another vendor, you can find a list here: willow cuttings for sale in the USA.

We are happy to answer your questions about cuttings year round. We take orders for cuttings from January 1 – March 31. The best way to propagate willow is from dormant hardwood cuttings; so we have to limit the sales to these months. We will ship the cuttings from February through the end of May. We will only ship cuttings to addresses in the USA.

To order send an e-mail to steve@dunbargardens.com with the name of the varieties and the quantity of each you would like to order. Please include your shipping address with postal zip code.

Orders will be shipped Priority Mail. Orders can also be picked up at the farm after arranging the time. We will try to ship your order according to your preference. Please give us an idea of when you would like to receive the cuttings for planting.

Our production of willows for our basketmaking and classes allows us to select good sized cuttings to insure successful rooting in your garden. Our cuttings are 9-11 inches in length. Full size rods for living willow fences and structures 7-8 feet in length are available only at the farm for pick-up.

2015 Prices:

5-245 total cuttings: $1.50 each (minimum 5 per variety)

250-495 total cuttings: $1.25 each

500+ total cuttings: $1.00 each

Please order in multiples of 5 (5,10,15, 20,etc.)

Can’t decide which to order? We offer several packages.

Basketmakers package: some reliable varieties for basketmaking 10 each of Dicky Meadows and 5 each of Light Dicks, Dark Dicks, Jagiellonka, Purpurea x daphnoides, Polish Purple, Black Maul and Whissender for $60.

Color package: some choice color selections 3 each of Dicky Meadows, Goldstones, Lambertiana, Noir de Touraine, Harrison’s B, Britzensis, Farndon, Blue Streak, Continental Purple for $35

Catkins Package: selection of varieties for their catkins, please note that none of these are large flowers 5 each of Leicestershire Dicks, Goldstones, Eugenii, Rubykins, Blue Streak for $35

Living willow structures and garden trellis package: 5 each of Eugenii, Lambertiana, Harrisons, Whissender, Noir de Touraine for $35

Purpurea package: Salix purpurea varieties are good choices for producing slender unbranched rods in many locations. Less likely to attract deer or diseases. 5 each of Dicky Meadows, Bleu, Goldstones, Jagiellonka, Light Dicks, Green Dicks, Leicestershire Dicks, Lambertiana, Eugenii for $60

Please note that we may have to substitute varieties in the packages depending on availability when we ship.

We accept payment by cash, check or money order, and we can also bill you through PayPal for on-line credit card payment.

Shipping and handling costs are $15 per order except Washington State residents who pay $10 plus sales tax based on destination. Orders over 250 cuttings will have additional shipping charges.

There is a minimum order of $30 not including shipping for mail orders.

Have questions about cuttings or willow growing? Please read the info below about planting, growing and coppicing willows. More questions? Please e-mail steve@dunbargardens.com.

Prices for full size rods:

We sell full size rods for living willow structures and fences for $3.00 each on the farm. Salix triandra Whissender and Noir de Touraine are available.

Planting and growing tips:

Basket willows can be grown in a wide range of soil types, but they prefer well drained soils in full sun. The willows will grow in almost all areas of the US. Willows in general have a tendency to be variable to climate and growing conditions.

Your willow bed should ideally be free of any perennial weeds. Get your willow growing area ready the year before you plant. The soil is often too wet in the early spring when you will want to plant the cuttings. Some people choose to plant through a weed barrier fabric.

Spring is the best time to plant, March through May. Leave the cuttings in your fridge until you are ready to plant.

Willow roots easily from cuttings. Plant by simply pushing the cuttings into the ground with the buds facing up. If the soil is rocky or compacted, make a hole with a dibber for each cutting. Try to plant the cuttings 6 to 8 inches into the ground. Leave 2 or 3 buds above the soil surface. Firm the soil around the planted cuttings.

Maintain and check for adequate soil moisture during the first summer. Minimize competition for water and sunlight from weeds or other plants. Mulching the plants can be helpful.

Spacing of the willows depends on several factors including how the willow will be harvested, how weeds will be controlled, variety, and soil fertility. We are using a spacing of 6 inches in the row by 32 inches between rows for most of our basket varieties. We have also used 12 inches by 24 – 36 inches. Wider spacing is appropriate for producing large rods for garden structures, trellises, or living fences; or when growing in poor soils. Hedges can be planted in a single row spaced from 12 to 24 inches; or a double row planted 24 inches apart with the plants offset.

Basket willows are usually coppiced to the ground annually, including the first year. Only an inch of the original stem needs to be left above the soil the second spring. Find more info and photos about coppicing here on our blog. This approach will give you more straight and uniform rods. We do leave some rods to grow for two or three years for sticks, stakes, and for peeling. We have also found the variety “Nana” to grow well being cut as a mini pollard. You can choose to grow all your willows as pollards which is an attractive landscape feature.

Attractive hedges can be produced by coppicing alternate plants in alternate years just before the willow leafs out in the spring. The result is a hedge that will look good year round; highlighting the winter rods that are more colorful in the first and second years growth.
Take a look at our webpage about basketry willow for some more information and photos of the willow at Dunbar Gardens: basketry willow.

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