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Salix purpurea

Phonetic Spelling
SAY-liks pur-PUR-ee-uh
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Nana'
Tags:
#small shrub#multistemmed#spreading#deer resistant#weak wood#pollinator plant#larval host plant#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#viceroy butterflies#wet soils intolerant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Nana'
Tags:
#small shrub#multistemmed#spreading#deer resistant#weak wood#pollinator plant#larval host plant#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#viceroy butterflies#wet soils intolerant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salix
    Species:
    purpurea
    Family:
    Salicaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The bark is a source of salicin used to control pain. The twigs are flexible and often used in basketry.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Northern Africa east to Central Asia and Japan.
    Distribution:
    Introduced to Southern Canada, Southeastern United States and the Great Lakes.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Dense
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The catkins on female shrubs produce small seed capsules which split open and release seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gray/Silver
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Catkin
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Grayish-white flowers blossom in April and May before the leaves appear. Catkins 1 1/4 inches long contain tiny flowers in dense clusters. Catkins emerge reddish purple but turn dark grayish white.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow 2 to 4 inch leaves are lustrous blue-green above and pale green beneath. Alternate, but opposite toward the tips of young shoots.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Young shoots are initially purplish, but turn light gray to grayish-brown as they age.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Compaction
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil