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Salix Integra (Flamingo) and Water Pipes

BuchBuch Posts: 38
in Plants
I understand that Willow trees are bad news for water pipes and septic tanks but I am wondering if this applies to every Salix?

For example, would a  Salix Integra (Flamingo) also be invasive to water pipes?


Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,321
    The best thing for one of those abysmal plants is leave then in the forecourt of B&Q ;) Plant something nicer, please!
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • BuchBuch Posts: 38
    edited August 2021
    amancalledgeorge said:
    The best thing for one of those abysmal plants is leave then in the forecourt of B&Q ;) Plant something nicer, please!
    Why do you think that? You think they're ugly?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,027
    @amancalledgeorge  :D
    I have to agree @Buch - I think they're desperately ugly, but most people keep them 'contained' in terms of size, so they rarely seem to cause any problems. However, there was a recent thread where someone had a couple of them in their garden and they were huge. 
    It would therefore seem to be down to how you manage them  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BuchBuch Posts: 38
    Fairygirl said:
    @amancalledgeorge  :D
    I have to agree @Buch - I think they're desperately ugly, but most people keep them 'contained' in terms of size, so they rarely seem to cause any problems. However, there was a recent thread where someone had a couple of them in their garden and they were huge. 
    It would therefore seem to be down to how you manage them  :)
    Do you think they are ugly because of the colour, or is it the form of the shrub?? I was hoping to fill a large space that at the moment is full of ragwort and briars. Wondering what you think of other willows like Salix alba 'Chermesina' for example. Thanks
  • BuchBuch Posts: 38
    Not sure if it makes a difference, but should mention that it's in a shrub form, it's not one of the lollipop types. I was hoping to grow a large bush that can take severe cutting back maybe once a year. There are some wild Willows around here and they form large bushes that help fill in a bad area
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,027
    It's the colour, but I don't like any variegated plant that has pink in with the green/white, or green/yellow  :)
    Loads of bog standard willow round here, but it isn't something I'd grow unless I had a lot of room, which I don't in this garden. 
    Chermesina is mainly grown for it's stem colour.  Much nicer, but it isn't my garden, so you have to choose   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,739
    Personally I would rather go for the native Salix fragilis … the Crack Willow, and coppice that every couple of years … you’ll get lovely golden withies … and you could mix that with coppiced Cornus … with fiery red new growth. 

    It’s a personal thing but pink leaves really don’t do it for me …. sorry. 
    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 649
    @Buch if you like the Salix, then get one, it's your garden!  I had one, I think they're nice, but it went and died on me earlier in the year and its roots are under my patio so I can't pull it up.  So it does now look as hideous as people on here suggest - a load of gnarly old bald branches!
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