We have a wonderful variety of salix, available in many different colours. Your favorite colour is sure to be amongst them! In this article we discuss some salix facts, and we talk about the interesting lore surrounding salix.
 

ORIGIN

Salix descents from the willow-family. Every year a small catkin grows from the branches of the tree. Often the Dutch and Belgium landscape are dominated by willow trees growing beside the many trenches both countries have. The reason for this is that the willow, with her big root system, prevents the sides of the trenches from eroding. Willows have the advantage of growing pretty fast when they are located in an moist soil. The name salix is a reference to this favorite spot of the willow tree: in Celtic ‘salix’ means ‘sal’ which means ‘close to the water’.

MYTHOLOGY

The willow can be a symbol for fertility, due to the fast growth of the tree. When one puts a branch into the ground, a tree quickly starts to grow out from it.
 

But the willow tree also has a darker side: the weeping willow can be a symbol for an unhappy love and death itself. In the ancient Germanic culture the tree even had a magical meaning, the willow was a symbol of death. It was believed witches hid inside the willow tree. To chase them away, people used to make whites out of willow wood: simply blow the whistle, and the witches fled from the tree. In England willow trees were planted near cemeteries located close to the water, to protect the ghosts of the death.
 

Besides these mythical meanings, the willow tree also has a very practical use: the bark of the willow tree contains salicine, which is the main ingredient of aspirin. When you chew on a piece of the bark, the pain should go down. This is however bad for the stomach, so beware!
 

COLOUR AND AVAILABILITY

Salix is available in many (painted) colours, such as light and darker pink, bright green, yellow or orange. The availability of salix is year round. Please visit our webshop for our current (colour) selection or contact your specialist at OZ-Import.