​Salix purpurea 'Frances Red'

​Salix purpurea 'Frances Red' is grown in our willow beds at Lakeshore Willows for basketry. 

Description

• Grows long, flexible rods without branching
• The stems are a  dark green and purplish red when fresh with bluish green leaves 
• When soaked and dried the rods are a beautiful dark grey with some purplish red
• Probably my favourite basket willow 
• Great for any part of a basket
• Looks and weaves a lot like Salix purpurea 'Bleu'

Growth Habit

Medium size shrub if not coppiced

Application

This variety is great for basketry and can also be used for living willow projects.

Bark for weaving can be harvested from 2-3 year old rods.

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM Johnny: I am not a horticulturist and the information provided for each willow variety is based on my observations growing and using the willows here at Lakeshore Willows. The information about growth habit is quoted from Christopher Newsholme's book: Willows, The Genus Salix.