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One of the plants beloved of flower arrangers is Salix sachalinensis 'Sekka', the stag's horn willow. This is a curious plant, with the usual willow-type stems and leaves, but a proportion of the stems are faciated, or flattened, and curve gracefully, hence its common name. When it flowers, the flowers are grouped closely together along the flattened stems, and are very decorative. It's a good idea to prune the shrub hard after flowering, as this will prevent it becoming too big, and will encourage lots of new stag's horn-like stems to grow! Remember not to grow willows of any variety anywhere near your house, or the drains, as they have searching roots which will break through drainage pipes with ease, and foundations hold no fear for them either! Also, they are very thirsty plants, and if you live on clay soil, then willows will dry it out and can cause subsidence to your house foundations.

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