Flamingo willow is one of two popular cultivars of S. integra. Like all willows, including its cousin the dappled willow, flamingo willow is a very fast-growing deciduous broad-leaf shrub that prefers constantly moist or wet soils.
Flamingo offers nice stem and foliage color; the foliage is variegated with three colors during spring—white, green, and touches of pink—giving way to white and green in summer. The red branches offer good winter color, similar to those on red-twig dogwood. The flowers are insignificant, appearing as catkins, similar to those on other willow shrubs. While this is one of the most colorful of all willow shrubs, Flamingo willow is such a fast-growing plant that it requires constant pruning in order to keep its landscape appeal. It can be planted as a specimen plant, in small groups, or as hedge border. It requires a moist location and is ideal for rain gardens and other damp soils. Species form is native to China, Japan, Korea, and southeastern Siberia.
