Salix lasiolepis (Arroyo Willow)
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis (Arroyo Willow) is an upright, multi-stemmed, large shrub or small deciduous tree with a broadly spreading, irregular to rounded crown. The dark green leaves are broadly lance-shaped, 6 in. long (15 cm), smooth or occasionally toothed along the margins, and whitish below. They flutter in the breeze, creating a rippling bicolored effect. Arroyo Willow is dioecious with separate male and female plants. In late winter to late spring, fuzzy catkins appear with or before the leaves. The pollen-releasing male catkins are yellow, while the seed-producing catkins are green. Seeds are tiny and embedded in a mass of tangled hairs that lifts and carries the seeds away on the air currents. Fast-growing, cold-hardy, Arroyo 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 useful for stabilizing streambanks and improving wildlife habitat. The catkins are a source of pollen for beneficial insects and the catkins and buds are food for small game and songbirds in spring. Arroyo willow is a host plant for the Lorquin’s admiral, mourning cloak and western tiger swallowtail butterflies
- Grows up to 10-35 ft. tall (3-11 m) and 10-25 ft. wide (3-8 m). Adds 36 in. per year (90 cm).
- Performs best in full sun to part shade, in moist to wet soils. Tolerant of most soil types and drainage classes where moisture is not limiting. Can withstand prolonged soil saturation and flooding.
- Great for hedges and screens, wildlife gardens, or along streams or ponds.
- Watch for aphids, scales, willow leaf gall sawfly, and poplar borers.
- Native to Western and Southwestern United States.
Not sure which Salix - Willows to pick?
Compare All Salix - Willows
Buy Salix lasiolepis (Arroyo Willow)
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Salix - Willows |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' – 35' (3m – 10.5m) |
Spread | 10' – 25' (3m – 7.5m) |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
By Jared Quentin (Shutterstock)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Salix - Willows |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' – 35' (3m – 10.5m) |
Spread | 10' – 25' (3m – 7.5m) |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |