| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 3 |
Salix purpurea - Dwarf Arctic Willow
Plant Viewer
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| Dwarf Arctic Willow is a medium sized shrub with an almost perfectly round form. | The leaves are lanceolate, 2-4 inches long and blue-green in color. |
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| Young stems are a bright red. |
Plant Description
Salix purpurea 'Nana' is a medium sized shrub (6 feet tall and wide) with a rounded form and airy texture. It is quick to establish and has a fast growth rate, quickly filling out in a couple years.
The stems are thin and pliable, with younger stems having a very noticeable reddish-purple hew that stands out against the foliage. Mature stems are a grey-green. It needs regular water, but will tolerate some drought once established. The lanceolate leaves are 2-4 inches long and very narrow. They are an attractive blue-green that contrasts well against the new reddish-purple growth.
Landscape Use
Use in mass plantings or as a color or texture accent in a bed or border.
Notable Cultivars
S. integra 'Hakuro Nishiki': New growth emerges pink, fades to white and then a dappled white and green. Performs best in part-shade. 4-5 feet high and wide.
S. caprea 'Pendula': A weeping form of pussy willow often used as a focal point in planting beds. Soft silvery catkins cover the tree in early spring, later replaced by green leaves.
