Yellow Willow

Scientific name

Salix lutea

Description

The Yellow Willow is a deciduous shrub or short tree species that can grow up to 5 m tall. The bark is silvery grey coloured. The leaves are alternately arranged, lanceolate shaped, and dark green to yellow coloured. The flowers are short, upright densely haired catkins, which are cylinder flower clusters that appear in May. The flowers develop into whitish yellow seed capsules that disperse seeds by wind. This shrub is a fast growing early colonizer species. It is also effective at controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. As with many Willow species, this plant is very hardy and flood tolerant. This shrub is a valuable source of food for many wildlife species. However, Willow is also a preferred source of food and building material for beavers.

Planting conditions

The Yellow Willow grows best in open moist or wet conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It can grow in a variety of soil types with a normal pH level. This plant naturally grows along river or lake shorelines, in wet forests and forest edges, and in wet fields or meadows.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 5 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m