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.
Flamingo willow requires frequent watering, especially in dryer climates. Unless the soil has natural moistness all the time, water this plant twice weekly during periods when there is no rainfall. In dryer soils, apply a thick layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture.
Full sun will produce the best foliage color, but the shrub will tolerate some shade and may prefer shade in very hot climates.
Feed in spring with a general-purpose balanced fertilizer or compost dug into the ground around the base of the plant. Additional feeding is not necessary.
Like all willows, flamingo willow is very easy to propagate:In spring, cut 8-inch lengths of softwood stems with no leaves.Fill a small garden pot with a good quality potting soil and place the cuttings in it.When the root system is visible through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, the willow is ready for transplanting.
