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Salix arbuscula
Mountain Willow
Plant Type:
DECIDUOUS SHRUBSSalix arbuscula – Cloaked in bright green ovate-elliptical leaves up to nearly 2 inches long the Mountain Willow forms a small shrub often wider than tall just perfect for the alpine garden, rockery or front of the border edger. It is a decent honey plant and may be a candidate for bonsai enthusiasts. The glossy leaves contrast nicely with the twiggy stems colored deep reddish brown. Males have pinkish red-purple catkins with an overlay of silvery hairs. Female catkins are like small yellowish bottle brushes. They occur in early to mid spring, may grow up to nearly 1 inch tall and emerge as the foliage begins to sprout. This little willow is adapted to moist, calcareous soils. Sun to mostly sunny exposure. Established pot grown shrub from cutting.
Please scroll down to the Genus Overview for more information.
Characteristics and Attributes for Salix arbuscula
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn
Interesting Bark
- Colored
- Architectural
Nature Attraction
- Honey Bees & Native Bees
Light
- Full Sun
- Mostly Sunny
Attributes
- Border
- Edging
- Potted Plant
- Foundation
- Bonsai Candidate
- Rock Garden
- Natural Garden
- Heath / Peat Garden
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Slow
Soil
- Fertile
- Calcareous
Origins
- Northern Europe
Propagated By
- Cutting Grown
Genus Overview: Salix
Common Name: Willow
Salix. These are the willows, a large genus of woody plants. Some willows are small shrubs, others grow into huge trees and there are many bushy species which fall in between. All prefer sun planted in fertile moisture retaining soils; some are tolerant of quite wet feet. Many have quite attractive lanceolate leaves with silvery undersides that flash in summer breezes… I have often thought of these as the “poor man’s bamboo”. Some have contorted and beautifully colored bark which shines in the winter landscape. Many sport beautiful winter/spring catkins. Nearly all willows have utilitarian applications in fencing, rods, basket making. All are very prune-able; in fact, any of the larger shrubs depending upon how you desire to employ them will respond well to pruning and coppicing. When coppiced those with beautifully colored winter stems display many more of them. And as with ornamental shrub dogwoods younger stems exhibit the best, most intense winter tones. All ornamental characteristics will be presented according to species/cultivar. All of the following offerings are established pot grown shrubs from a cutting. We may prune back all larger growing selections prior to shipping so that you will not incur the extra handling charge.