Salix integra 'Flamingo' standard (Variegated dappled willow)
- Regular price
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€41,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€41,95
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Frequently asked questions
Does the dappled willow lose its leaves in winter? Yes, the dappled willow is deciduous: it loses its leaves from November to March and grows back in spring with pink shoots.
What height of standard dappled willow should you choose? The 70-80 cm stem is suitable for a balcony, the 90-100 cm one for a large terrace pot, and the 140-160 cm one forms a small tree for an entrance or garden.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🦩 Bright pink young shoots • 🌿 Foliage variegated in pink, cream and green • 🍂 Orangey-red branches in winter • ☀️ Sun or partial shade • ❄️ Hardy down to -15 °C • 🌳 On a standard, three heights
Salix integra 'Flamingo' is an ornamental willow trained into a ball on a straight trunk, grown for its foliage variegated in pink, cream and green. A horticultural selection from Europe (the Netherlands), developed by the willow specialist nursery Bontekoe from the renowned 'Hakuro Nishiki', it adds a colorful crown visible from a distance to our full-sun plants.
In spring, its young shoots emerge bright pink, then the slender, elongated leaves mature into a blend of pink, creamy white and green. In summer, the older leaves turn green again, and each pruning triggers a new flush of pink. It is a deciduous shrub: in winter, the crown loses its leaves, revealing young orangey-red branches.
Which standard shrub should you choose?
Six standard shrubs from the catalog, trained into balls to structure a balcony or terrace:
- 'Flamingo' dappled willow on a standard (this plant) — foliage variegated in pink, cream and green, deciduous. The most colorful in spring, in three heights.
- 'Palibin' dwarf lilac on a standard — clusters of fragrant lilac flowers in May, deciduous. The most fragrant.
- 'Harlequin' spindle tree on a standard — small leaves variegated with white, evergreen. The variegated one that keeps its leaves in winter.
- 'Little Red Robin' photinia on a standard — bright red young shoots, evergreen. The reddest in spring.
- 'Blue Maid' blue holly on a standard — glossy blue-green leaves, evergreen. The most understated, for both shade and sun.
- 'Victoria' California lilac on a standard — intense blue flowers in spring, evergreen. The only blue one.
The 'Flamingo' and 'Palibin' lose their leaves in winter: for a balcony decorated all year round, pair them with an evergreen.
Exposure & placement
Light brings out its colors: in sun or bright partial shade, the shoots are pinker and the variegation more pronounced. In the hot full sun of the South, the white leaves may scorch in summer if the pot dries out.
- Exposure: sun or bright partial shade, ideally sheltered from the hot afternoon sun.
- Location: terrace, entrance, east- or west-facing balcony, on either side of a door.
- Hardiness in a pot: down to -15 °C - it can stay outside in winter.
- Soil type: moist, rich and well-drained - it does not tolerate drought well.
On a wind-exposed terrace, stake the stem during the first few years: the crown catches the wind.
Watering & care
Like all willows, it loves water: in a pot, testing the substrate with your finger in summer indicates when to water, and going away for a few days in summer requires preparation, as a pot that dries out causes the variegated leaves to turn brown.
- Watering: regular and generous - keep the substrate consistently moist from spring to autumn, and water less frequently in winter.
- Water: tap water is suitable.
- Fertilizer: shrub fertilizer, in spring.
- Pruning: cut the crown back hard in March, then prune lightly in June or July to encourage new pink shoots and keep the ball round.
- Repotting: every two years, in spring, into a wider, heavier pot for stability.
Remove any shoots that appear on the stem or at the base: they weaken the crown.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
Its pink and cream crown draws the eye upward, while its base is dressed with plants that share the same balcony exposure.
- For a display that lasts through winter, plant a Nandina 'Twilight' at its base - evergreen, it picks up the willow's young pink shoots and white variegation.
- To dress up the pot, plant a Carex 'Ice Dance' — its cream edging echoes the variegation and hides the base of the stem.
- For pink flowers in spring, pair it with Rhododendron Bloombux® Magenta — its evergreen flowering ball blooms in June and complements the willow's head at a different height.
- To enhance the pot, choose the Capi Nature Skin anthracite pot — the dark gray brings out the pink and cream of the foliage.
A pair of standard willows on either side of an entrance creates the effect of small pink trees in spring.
Verdeia tips
- Prune to maintain the pink color: without pruning, the head elongates into long stems that turn green again. Two prunings a year, in March and June or July, keep the head dense and colorful.
- Don't worry in winter: leafless from November to March, it is still very much alive. If a stem has turned black after a frost, cut the damaged wood back to the green at the beginning of spring.
- Choose a heavy pot: the head catches the wind. A terracotta or weighted pot prevents the willow from tipping over on an exposed balcony.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Salix integra 'Flamingo'
- Common name: Flamingo willow, variegated willow
- Family: Salicaceae
- Origin: horticultural selection from Europe (the Netherlands), a mutation of 'Hakuro Nishiki', a species native to East Asia
- Delivery dimensions: H70-80 cm | Pot Ø17 cm, H90-100 cm | Pot Ø19 cm, or H140-160 cm | Pot Ø23 cm
- Growth habit: ball-shaped head on a straight trunk
- Mature height: determined by the trunk, with a head 60 cm to 1 m in diameter depending on pruning
- Flowering: small, subtle catkins in spring, before the leaves
- Exposure: sun or partial shade
- Watering: regular and abundant, with the substrate always kept moist
- Soil type: moist, rich, and well-drained
- Hardiness: down to -15 °C
- Foliage: deciduous, pink, cream, and green variegated leaves, orange-red branches in winter
- Care: easy, two prunings per year
- Toxicity: not listed as toxic to animals
- Decorative style: Graphic / Japanese garden / Terrace
Each plant is unique: the proportion of pink, white, and green leaves naturally varies depending on the season, the light it receives, and the date of the last pruning.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.