Salix?

Oooh,now I think this is the one I bought...the black willow. It's lovely. I didn't keep mine as I was worried about it getting too big. Really nice though isn't it!

Is that what it is Karen? I bought it 7 years ago and back then I didn't keep the care cards. It has such lovely willow type buds, black now and then they have fuffy white bits too, very pretty. I remember the card saying I could cut it back, but I never have. I suppose it's nearly 6 x 6 feet now and planted behind my dogwoods. I love it, a bit of early interest!

Yes, that is what to do with willows, keep pollarding them or they will take over your whole garden....well, probably not your whole garden, but mine anyway! lol

Lol! I know it's huge!!

nothing like a bit of early interest behind your dogwoods me thinks..nice pic what were you standing on? I wouldnt mind one of these myself actually i think i have just the space..do the buds stay black?

I was standing on me own two feet, photographing loer branches!! The buds get white fluffy bits on them, will take a pic when they change. They open up into leaves, or fall off, can't quite remember! It's really pretty at this stage.

What kind of turf is that in the background?
It is beautiful!
~N2O~

Hello N20, the turf, part of the lawn is reclaimed paddock. I never did anything to it except mow it! It's always been lush. It has a few holes in it where the dogs dug for mice when I tried is as meadow! I would like to do the long grass thing again but the dogs do so love to play in it, dig it and flatten it!