Side by side
Eared willow or grey willow? How to tell them apart
Salix aurita · Salix cinerea
How to tell them apart – eared willow: smaller, strongly wrinkled leaves with large ears and hairless, reddish-brown twigs; grey willow: larger, less wrinkled leaves and felted twigs, grows much bigger.
How do you recognise them?
- Eared willow
- Low, densely branched willow with small, strongly wrinkled leaves with a bent-over tip and large ‘ears’ at the leaf base.
- Compared with grey willow: smaller, strongly wrinkled leaves with large ears and hairless, reddish-brown twigs.
- Grey willow
- Broad, grey-green shrubby willow of wet places, with felted twigs and obovate leaves that are grey-felted underneath.
- Compared with eared willow: larger, less wrinkled leaves and felted twigs; grows much bigger.
| Eared willow | Grey willow | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, 2–5 cm, obovate with a short, twisted tip and a wavy edge; upper side dull and strongly wrinkled, underside grey-hairy. At the base, large, kidney-shaped stipules that stay on for a long time. | Alternate, 4–10 cm, obovate to lanceolate with a short, often bent tip and a wavy, irregularly toothed edge; upper side dull grey-green, underside grey-felted, sometimes with rusty hairs. |
| Flowering | Small catkins in April, before the leaves; male and female on separate shrubs (April–May). | Catkins in March–April, before the leaves; the male catkins turn golden yellow (March–April). |
| Fruit | Fluffy seeds in May–June. | Fluffy seeds in May. |
| Bark | Thin, reddish-brown twigs that become hairless and spread widely; under the bark of two- or three-year-old twigs the wood has distinct lengthwise ridges. | Twigs grey-felted, even in their second year; under the bark of older twigs the wood has distinct lengthwise ridges. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 1–3 m | Shrub, 3–6 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, acid soil, moist to wet | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, moist to wet |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | April–May | April–May |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Both are native and good for wildlife: choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have.
Read on
- Plant profile: Eared willow
- Plant profile: Grey willow
- Eared willow: when and how to prune
- Grey willow: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.