#stooled

Plant of the Day

Thursday 20 November 2025

This specimen of the deciduous tree Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven, false varnish tree, Japan varnish tree, tree of the gods) is being pruned annually to a main stem so resulting in very large pinnate leaves as the major display value. This species is listed on Schedule 9 of the United Kingdom (UK) Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive, non-native plant and is banned from sale. Across the European Union, UK and Northern Ireland it is an offence to plant or cause this species to grow in the wild. The plant often produces suckers and female plants will produce red, winged fruits, so gardeners growing them should undertake measures to control them.

Plant of the Day

Sunday 23 January 2022

Here the coloured stems of Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' (coral bark willow, scarlet willow) have become a winter sculpture. These vigorous medium-sized deciduous tree are here being grown as a shrub which is being ‘stooled’ (coppiced) on top of a short stem known as a ‘leg’. Pruning will be carried out in early spring before bud burst removing last years stems to encourage regrowth with the colourful red bark.

Plant of the Day

Friday 18 February 2022

The purple young shoots of Salix irrorata (blue-stem willow) are bloomed white in winter providing a great addition to a winter garden. Here this upright deciduous shrub has been surrounded with clumps of Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop) which seem an appropriate association with the grey-white stems.

Plant of the Day

Sunday 10 January 2021

Another set of sculptural shapes created using Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' (scarlet willow, coral bark willow) plants which have been stooled (coppiced) to promote these long colourful stems. This growth will be pruned in the late winter or early spring to encourage more new growth in the Winter Garden at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Hyde Hall, Essex.

Plant of the Day

Friday 22 January 2021

Coloured stems from last season’s growth are still providing a winter display including Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' (dogwood). This deciduous shrub, once established, is pruned each year to some extent just before bud burst in early spring to promote new growth which has the dramatic colour.

Plant of the Day

Monday 16 April 2018

An exhibitor at a plant fair had vases full of the cut stems of Salix purpurea ‘Nancy Saunders’ (willow) covered in catkins. This cultivar is a refined form with delicate grey green foliage and thin mahogany  coloured young stems. It is an elegant and graceful willow which can be kept compact by annual stooling.