Kübler Willow (Salix x smithiana) - Build living tunnels and tipis with this native bee magnet

As winter slowly fades and the garden is still deep in its slumber, this plant provides the first major spectacle: the basket willow. I love this robust ornamental shrub because it not only brings a touch of life to early spring, but is also a real lifesaver for our native insect population.

Scope of delivery: Per plant in a 2-liter pot (60-70cm, single-stem)

A miracle of nature: Velvety catkins in late winter

Even before the first leaves sprout, the basket willow wraps itself in a breathtaking coat of thick, velvety-soft catkins from March onwards. At first, they shine in an elegant silver-grey before turning into a vibrant sunny yellow as they bloom. The delicate scent immediately catches your attention and heralds the end of winter.

History, Origin & Traditional Craft

Botanically, the basket willow is called Salix x smithiana. It is a so-called natural hybrid, a cross-breed that originated hundreds of years ago. It combines the best of both its parents: the magnificent, thick catkins of the goat willow (Salix caprea) and the elegant, flexible branches of the common osier (Salix viminalis).

Traditional craft: Its German name "Küblerweide" (cooper's willow) is no coincidence! Because of its fast-growing, extremely flexible rods, this willow species was once an absolute treasure for craftsmen—especially for the so-called "coopers," who used the supple wood for the hoops of their wooden barrels. But basket weavers loved it, too. In many rural areas of Europe, it was used for centuries to weave sturdy harvest baskets, fences, and even walls for timber-framed houses. A piece of true cultural history for your garden!

Growth & Appearance: A robust, elegant privacy screen

The basket willow is a real powerhouse that impresses with its natural elegance:

• Habit: It grows as a vigorous, upright large shrub and can quickly reach a height of 3 to 5 meters. This makes it perfect as a loose privacy screen or windbreak.

• Appearance: After its spectacular flowering, it shows off its pretty foliage. The lanceolate leaves are deep green on top and silky hairy on the underside, giving them a beautiful, silvery shimmer that dances in the wind.

• Hardy: As a native shrub, it defies even the harshest frosts with absolute ease.

The Superpowers: Bee magnet & absolutely urban climate-proof!

If I rave about this plant, it is primarily because of its incredible robustness and ecological value:

• A feast for wild bees: When the first bumblebee queens and wild bees emerge in early spring during cold temperatures, they often find no food. The huge, nectar- and pollen-rich catkins of the basket willow are a true "superfood" at this time and ensure the survival of countless insects.

• The hero of the urban climate: Gardening in the middle of the city? No problem! The basket willow is considered completely urban-climate-proof. It copes excellently with heat islands, exhaust fumes, and the often rougher microclimate between buildings. Its dense foliage even acts as a natural dust filter and improves air quality in your immediate surroundings.

Limitless Malleability: Your DIY garden project!

Because the basket willow carries the genes of the common osier, it produces incredibly long, straight, and above all, extremely flexible rods. This makes it the ultimate plant for creative garden projects! It is perfectly suited for shaping and can be directed beautifully:

• Living willow tunnels: Plant the willows in two rows along a path and tie the flexible rods together at the tips to form an arch. In a short time, a shady, living tunnel will grow – an absolute dream and a romantic highlight in any garden!

• Green teepees & play huts: There is nothing better for children. Plant the willows in a circle and tie the shoots together at the top like an Indian tent. After just a few months, a dense, living cave for hiding and playing is created.

• Living fences (Belgian fence): Plant the rods diagonally into the ground and weave them together in a diamond pattern. You can create an opaque, living garden fence in no time at all, which even blooms beautifully in spring.

Location & Care: An undemanding all-rounder

Hardly any plant is as easy to care for and undemanding as the basket willow. If you follow a few small points, it will bring you joy for decades:

1. Location: It loves the sun, but also copes well with partial shade.

2. Soil: Although willows like "wet feet" (e.g., near a pond), the basket willow is so adaptable that it tolerates any normal garden soil that is not too extremely dry.

3. Pruning: If you are not planning any wickerwork, it is also extremely tolerant to pruning as a normal ornamental shrub. You can simply cut it back drastically after flowering ("coppicing") to keep it small and bushy. It will sprout again rapidly and vigorously afterwards.

My decoration tip: Cut a few branches with closed catkins in late winter and place them in a floor vase in your warm living room. This way, you can bring spring into your home weeks before the actual flowering season!

Turn your garden into an insect paradise and enjoy the first magic of spring!