Varieties Grown
At Barfad Willow I currently grow fifteen different varieties.
Dicky Meadows (Salix purpurea): A waxy, slender, willow, a little more stout that the Dicks'. Dry rods vary between a dark to a lighter brown, sometimes it varies within the stem, and sometimes it's quite even. The lighter stems have tiny dark buds which makes it very attractive. The butt ends can be pretty bendy, especially on the larger rods.
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Harrisons (Salix Purpurea x Viminalis): I seem to have two varieties of this willow. Both were sold to me as Harrisons; one is a deep rich brown in colour and the other a pale creamy brown. Both have a smooth even bark and grow tall, straight and stout. I shall call them Light Harrisons and Dark Harrisons. The photograph shows the light variety. Harrisons is very popular for making large baskets - and also, unfortunately, for dinner parties among the local deer...
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Continental Purple (Salix daphnoides): A stunning deep purple willow which develops a white bloom when dry. It's quite stout and therefore not so popular for basket making - but I can't resist growing it because it is such an incredible colour. Some people like to use it for living willow structures.
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Scarlet Willow (Salix alba chermisina): Chermesina produce remarkably rich orange-red rods which are very popular for their colour. It's hard to grow, produces many small side shoots and unfortunately the deer love to gobble it all up. If I ever manage to produce any for sale it is therefore sold at a premium price!
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Polish Blue: A tall slender deep coloured basket willow. I am in the process of establishing Polish Blue so only small amounts occassionally available at present.
Carl Jenson: This is tall, very fine, delicate willow with a pale grren bark with red tinges. As yet I only have very small amounts available.
Nicholsonni: Another tall, pale delicate willow perfect for fine basketry. Again only small amounts are available as yet.