In the UK, at least, these range from small, prostrate, hairless plants at one end of the spectrum to taller, erect or ascending silky-leaved shrubs at the other.

The species becomes more confined to moist or wet habitats in the southern and eastern parts of its UK range, and has been recorded from sea level up to 855 metres (2,805 ft) (in East Perthshire).

Its soft, fluffy seed hairs provide nesting material for songbirds, whilst in autumn there is often a rich assemblage of unusual fungus species growing in its vicinity.

Losing its erect habit, the plant is able to creep horizontally along the front of the advancing dune and survive the changing conditions.

[8] Studies have shown that mycorrhizal fungal associations may assist Salix repens in expanding the ecological niches it can occupy.