Salix purpurea (Purple Willow) is a spreading deciduous shrub or small tree of upright, rounded habit with arching purplish young stems turning gray as they age. They bear narrowly oblong, fine-textured, blue-green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), with silvery-blue undersides. The leaves are densely arranged along the thin stems, and flutter in the breeze, creating a rippling bicolored effect. In early to mid-spring, slender silvery catkins, packed with tiny flowers, appear before the leaves. Fast-growing, very cold-hardy, Purple Willow can be used as a specimen, in group planting, near bodies of water, as an informal hedge, or as a deciduous screen. Its suckering habit aids in erosion control and makes it a good candidate for embankments. The stems can be harvested and used in the production of baskets.
Requirement | |
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Hardiness | 2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Heat Zones | 3,4,5,6,7 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Willow Family |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Early Spring, Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer |
Height | 4' - 5' |
Spread | 4' - 5' |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Acid |
Characteristics | Deer Tolerant, Wet Soil Tolerant |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Modern Garden |
Planting Place | Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens |