Flamingo Dappled Willow

Flamingo Dappled Willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo')

Flamingo Dappled Willow brings instant brightness to the landscape with spring growth that blushes pink and settles into a lively mix of white and green. It is a fast-growing shrub that can fill space quickly, helping beds look finished and adding soft screening without waiting years. The foliage color plays well with evergreens and darker shrubs, making the whole planting feel more intentional. With simple pruning, it stays dense and colorful, and it also provides great cut stems for indoor arrangements.

Distinctive Features

This deciduous willow is grown for its vivid new growth, which often emerges pink in spring before maturing to variegated white and green leaves. Stems can show red to coral tones, adding extra interest in cooler seasons and after leaf drop. The shrub naturally forms a multi-stem, upright to rounded shape and responds strongly to pruning, which can encourage fresh, colorful growth. Small catkins may appear in late winter to early spring, but the foliage and stems are the main show.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for best foliage color, with part sun tolerated.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil is ideal, and it tolerates heavier soils if drainage is reasonable.
• Water: Prefers consistent moisture, water regularly during establishment and during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Grows well in zones 4 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically reaches about 6 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, and can be kept smaller with pruning.
• Habit: Upright to rounded, multi-stem shrub with dense branching.
• Seasonal Color: Pink spring flush followed by white and green variegation through the growing season.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use the pink spring growth and bright variegation as a focal point where it can lift the look of an entire bed.
• Screening: Plant as a fast, soft screen along a back border or property line, allowing room for its natural width.
• Mixed Borders: Pair with evergreens and dark foliage plants to create crisp contrast and a layered look.
• Moist Areas: Use in consistently moist spots where many shrubs struggle, including rain garden edges with good drainage.
• Cut Stems: Grow where you can harvest stems for arrangements and seasonal decor.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and to promote dense growth, or prune after the spring flush if you want to refresh foliage color.
• Coppicing: Cut back hard every few years to encourage vigorous new shoots and the brightest spring color.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during the first growing season, then water deeply during drought to reduce stress.
• Mulching: Mulch the root zone to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems.
• Feeding: Top-dress with compost in spring, and use a balanced fertilizer only if growth is weak.

Why Choose Flamingo Dappled Willow?

• Bold Spring Color: Pink new growth delivers an early-season highlight when the garden needs it most.
• Season-Long Brightness: White and green variegation keeps borders looking lighter and more finished.
• Fast Growth: Fills space quickly for faster screening and quicker landscape impact.
• Pruning Friendly: Responds well to shaping and renewal cuts, making it easy to manage size and density.
• Cut Stem Value: Stems and foliage are useful for arrangements, bringing the garden indoors.

Flamingo Dappled Willow is an easy way to add bright color, quick structure, and a more designed look to everyday plantings. Give it sun and steady moisture, then use simple pruning to keep it dense and vibrant. Planted with room to grow, it becomes a reliable landscape workhorse with standout spring character.