Salix integra 'Flamingo'

Salix integra ‘Flamingo’: Pink-Tipped Foliage, Red-Stem Brightener

Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ brings a lively, painterly look to the landscape, with fresh spring growth that emerges flushed pink before settling into green leaves splashed with creamy white. The colour is at its best on new shoots, and the plant’s naturally airy branching keeps it looking light and animated even when used in larger groupings. As the season cools, red-toned stems add extra interest, especially after leaf drop. It is a quick way to brighten borders and make mixed plantings feel more modern and dynamic.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 150–200 cm
• Spread: 150–200 cm
• Flower Colour: Inconspicuous catkins
• Flowering Period: Spring
• Foliage: Variegated green and creamy white, with pink-flushed new growth
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable

Uses and Benefits: Use ‘Flamingo’ as a focal shrub in sunny to lightly shaded beds, or repeat it through a border to echo its pink-and-cream highlights. It works beautifully near patios and entrances where the fresh spring colour can be enjoyed up close, and it is also effective as an informal hedge or soft screen. The bright foliage is excellent for lifting darker evergreens and deep greens, and the coloured stems help extend interest into the colder months.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the strongest foliage colour, or part shade in hotter sites, then water regularly during establishment. Keep soil consistently moist during dry stretches, especially in summer. Prune in late winter or early spring to encourage vigorous new growth and the best pink colouring, and trim again lightly after the first flush if you want a denser, more compact shape. Remove any solid-green shoots promptly to maintain the variegation.

History: Salix integra is a willow species native to eastern Asia, grown widely for its lively foliage and fast, adaptable growth. ‘Flamingo’ was selected for its showy pink spring flush and crisp variegation, bringing a brighter, more decorative look to a tough, landscape-ready shrub.

Final Thoughts: For gardeners who want quick colour and clean contrast, ‘Flamingo’ delivers, with pink-tipped foliage in spring and a fresh, light presence that keeps borders looking bright and contemporary.