Notes on the Origin and Pedigree of Salix ‘The Hague'

Salix ‘The Hague' is an ornamental willow, which was selected by the Dutch horticulturist S.G.A. Doorenbos before World War II. It provides early spring floral interest by the way of its large catkins. Salix ‘The Hague' was first described and listed in many references as a hybrid between S. caprea × S. gracilistyla. However, a recently analyzed description by Belder noted that it was a hybrid of S. × erdingeri × S. gracilistyla. A study was conducted to review the original herbarium specimens and to verify the pedigree of S. ‘The Hague' using the ovule number methodology. The analyses asserted that S. ‘The Hague' was rather a hybrid between S. × erdingeri and S. gracilistyla and should be reclassified in horticultural references. This study also confirmed that there were different genotypes cultivated under the name S. ‘The Hague'. Species used in this study: The Hague willow (Salix ‘The Hague'), Goat willow (S. caprea L.), Violet willow (S. daphnoides Vill.), S. ×erdingeri, Rose-gold pussy willow (S. gracilistyla Miq.).