Salix purpurea (Purple Willow)

Salix purpurea (Purple Willow) is a spreading deciduous shrub or small tree of upright, rounded habit with arching purplish young stems turning gray as they age. They bear narrowly oblong, fine-textured, blue-green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), with silvery-blue undersides. The leaves are densely arranged along the thin stems, and flutter in the breeze, creating a rippling bicolored effect. In early to mid-spring, slender silvery catkins, packed with tiny flowers, appear before the leaves. Fast-growing, very cold-hardy, Purple 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 a good candidate for embankments. The stems can be harvested and used in the production of baskets.

Willows (Salix species) are important larval host plants for several butterflies and moths. This species supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) caterpillars.

• Grows up to 10-15 ft. tall and wide (300-450 cm).
• Performs best in full sun, in deep, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Very adaptable to poor soils. Dislikes shallow chalk soils and is intolerant of dry soils.
• Great for hedges and screens, coastal gardens, wildlife gardens, or along streams or ponds.
• Easy to grow, low maintenance, and deer tolerant. Watch for aphids, caterpillars, leaf beetles, sawflies, willow anthracnose, or rust.
• Prune as needed in late winter to early spring. Many gardeners prune the stems back in late winter each year to encourage more vigorous growth, more colorful foliage (as it results in new growth), and control the plant size.
• Can be subjected to rejuvenation pruning, taken down to 4-24 in. (10-60 cm) above the ground.
• Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Native to Europe, Northern Africa, temperate Central Asia, and Japan.