Dwarf Purpleoiser Willow Salix purpurea 'Nana'

Purple Willow 'Nana' is a flowering, compact shrub; a dwarf cultivar of S. purpurea. It is noted for its dwarf, rounded form and purple stems. At maturity, it has a height and width no greater than 5 feet so it is a great choice for small spaces. It produces grayish-white blossoms in spring. The blue-green leaves are narrower than those found on other species. The name ‘Nana’ is derived from the Latin for dwarf, referring to the small size of this cultivar.

Purple Willow 'Nana' does best in moist to wet, well drained soil, sited in full sun for maximum blooms. It will tolerate sandy or clay soil and partial shade. It does better when summers are cool, but can be difficult to maintain in hot and humid weather.

You can prune this shrub as needed in late winter to early spring and it can be cut to the ground every 3 to 5 years to maintain a more vigorous plant and desired shape. The wood is weak and branches can be damaged by ice and snow. 

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Problems include blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, gray scab and cankers. Insect pests include aphids, scale, borers, lacebugs and caterpillars.

More information on Salix purpurea.