Salix purpurea

Purple Willow is a relatively small, rounded, flowering, deciduous shrub in the Salicaceae (willow) family. At maturity, it will reach a height of 1 to 2 feet with an equal spread. Plant it in moist soils. The bluish-green foliage is showy and the dense clusters of white flowers appear in spring. The genus name is the Latin name for this plant. The species name means purple referring to the purplish male flowers and purple young stems.

Purple Willow does best in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to maximize blossoms. It will tolerate part shade, occasional dry spells, and poor soils. It prefers moist soils, even intermittently flooded ones. It prefers cool summer temperatures and may not do well in high summer heat and humidity (North Carolina is the southern most state supporting this plant.)

Purple Willow is dioecious and requires both male and female plants to produce seed.

The plant can become unruly over time, but you can prune in late winter to early spring to shape as desired. To re-invigorate the plant, you can cut it to the ground every 3 to 5 years. The wood is weak and, under stress, may crack. Branches may need protection from ice and snow. It can spread and develop colonies of plants over time.

This plant is a larval host plant for the Viceroy butterfly. Its preference for moist sites caused it to be introduced into North America to reduce erosion along stream banks and lake shores where it has naturalized along streams.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

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

More information on Salix.