Scottish Willow

[Tim Harberd]

I'm trying to track down Salix x balfourii (caprea x lanata).... Balfour's Willow ... named after Scottish botanist John Hutton Balfour ... I've found a nursery in America which lists it!!

The only place I've found it in the UK is Thenford Gardens, Oxfordshire... (not a nursery)

Presumably it is still grown in its native land?

I'm hoping someone in Scotland might be able to spare me some cuttings in the autumn?

Tim DH

[Karaba]

Closer but still on the other side of the channel : https://www.pepiniere-brochetlanvin.com/saules-salix-osiers-collection/1532-Salix-x-balfouri-saule-de-balfour.html

[ian mcdonald]

Tim, maybe the gardener would allow some cuttings. The head gardeners sometimes help people who are interested in their plants. Perhaps a message to Thenford might be useful?

[annew]

A friend has a very special (and endangered - he's looking for a home for it) collection of rare hybrid willows. I will ask him.

[annew]

My friend has replied:
Re Salix x balfourii.  This has never been found inthe wild, at least in Britain. Linton claimed that he had synthesized from the parents in his garden but even if correct I doubt it still exists.  
Sorry we are unable to help.

[Tim Harberd]

Hi Yvain,
       Thanks for the link... What a wonderful website!

Hi Ian,
       I was thinking I might try asking in the autumn, if nothing else works.

Hi Anne,
       Thanks for your efforts... Mis-named things being passed round under 'rare' names is an ever present problem in many genera....   Interestingly the American nursery's S x balfourii  ( https://www.willowsvermont.com/home.html ) came to them as something else anyway!!! This website includes a score of photos of their plant, which is helpful.

Tim DH

[Tim Harberd]

I guess if I'm going to get any cutting wood of Balfour's Willow ( Salix x balfourii ) now is the time!

I've tried The National Willow Collection @ Rothamsted, with no response.

I've also discovered that some people grow Basford Golden Willow (Basfordiana) as S x balfourii, whereas other people think it is S x fragilis... so that muddies the water somewhat!

Tim DH