The willow is one of the most evocative trees in British landscapes, easily recognised by its arching branches and soft green leaves with silvery undersides. A lover of moisture, it flourishes beside streams, lakes, and fens, where its roots bind the soil and protect against erosion. Today, willows remain both practical and ornamental, providing shade, shelter, and a vital food source for insects. Its early spring catkins feed bees and other insects when few other trees are in bloom.

Willows are also famously easy to grow, often sprouting readily from cuttings earning them the title “Tree of Immortality.” Their role in folklore is rich: in Celtic tradition, willows were connected to the moon and to the mysteries of healing, love and inspiration. They were planted on graves and honoured in spring festivals, embodying the belief that the spirit would live on in the tree.
The Willow brings beauty and cultural symbolism to any garden.