'Flamingo' Dappled Willow (Salix integra) - Shrub with pink variegated foliage - 19 cm pot - Height 90–100 cm

Yes, the 'Flamingo' Pussy Willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') is perfectly hardy: it withstands temperatures down to -20°C, making it suitable for almost all regions of France, including mountainous areas with harsh winters. Its twigs and foliage naturally fall in autumn, and it grows vigorously again in spring. For young plants freshly planted, generous mulching around the base is recommended for the first winter, until the root system is firmly established. In a pot on a terrace, provide insulation around the container if temperatures drop sustainably below -10°C.

The 'Flamingo' pussy willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') displays its most beautiful colours in full sun, where the young spring shoots show their most intense pink. Light partial shade is tolerated without damage, but the variegated hues fade and growth slows slightly. In any case, avoid very shaded or confined locations. It tolerates exposed sites well, making it an excellent choice for open gardens or hedge borders. In short, the more direct light it receives, the more striking the display of colour.

At maturity, the 'Flamingo' pussy willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') reaches a height of around 3 m, with an airy and slightly weeping habit that gives it a very elegant silhouette. This size makes it a small tree, ideal in medium-sized gardens or in an XXL pot on a terrace. Its growth is fast: a well-established plant can gain 50 to 80 cm per year during the first few years. Regular pruning makes it easy to control its size and maintain the production of the young shoots with the most spectacular colors.

The key to maintaining a 'Flamingo' pussy willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') with the most intense colours is to prune it twice a year. The first pruning takes place in March, before the buds burst, shortening the stems by a third to a half of their length. The second pruning is carried out in August, after the first summer growth spurt. These two interventions stimulate the growth of young shoots, which are precisely the ones that display the brightest pink.

Yes, the 'Flamingo' pussy willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') is very well suited to growing in a large pot or planter on a terrace, provided you follow a few rules. Choose a container at least 40 to 50 cm in diameter to provide sufficient root volume. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix, and keep the substrate consistently moist by watering regularly, as willows are thirsty plants. In winter, protect the pot from deep frost by wrapping it in a fleece or moving it into a frost-free area.

The 'Flamingo' shrimp willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') pairs beautifully with plants that have contrasting foliage or seasonal flowers. At the base of the tree, ornamental grasses such as miscanthus or sedges add a fine texture that highlights the tricoloured foliage. Blue or purple hydrangeas create a striking colour contrast. In a border, pair it with large-leaved perennials with dark foliage, such as hostas, to accentuate the lightness of its form.

The 'Flamingo' weeping willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') is relatively unfussy about soil texture, but it has one requirement: moisture. It thrives in clay, loamy, and alluvial soils, and can even tolerate some temporary waterlogging, making it a valuable option for heavy or cool soils at the bottom of the garden. In well-drained sandy soil, regular watering and thick mulching are essential to compensate for moisture loss. Avoid completely dry and excessively alkaline soils, which can cause chlorosis.