Salix sericea
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Salix glauca
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAY-liks ser-ee-KEE-uh
- Description
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Silky willow is a perennial, shrub or small tree in the Salicacae, or willow, family and native to the subarctic south to Korea. It is often found in riparian areas in the eastern United States, but rarely in the mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina. The leaves are whiteish-green with silky hairs.
Silky willow tolerates most soil types, from coarse to fine, but does not do well in alkaline soils. It requires moist to wet soil and will do well in sun or shade.
The plant is a rapid grower and attains a mature height of 12 feet after 20 years of growth. It is one of the more ornamental willows available. As a species, Salix plants do very well in damp or wet areas.
It is a host plant for the larvae of the Acadian hairstreak (Satyrium acadica) butterfly.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- sericea
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Sub Arctic regions and North Korea
- Distribution:
- Canada and Eastern United States south to Georgia and west to the Mississippi.
- 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. Flowers are pollinated by native bees and honey bees and is the larval host plant for the Acadian Hairstreak butterfly.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Nesting
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Small flowers blossom in spring and early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- White green leaves, 2 1/2 to 4 inches long and 1/3 of an inch wide, with silky hairs underneath.
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Thin and smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Long, thin, purplish stems. Glabrous or silky and brittle at the base.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Short-lived
