Grayleaf Willow

Scientific name

Salix glauca

Description

The Grayleaf Willow is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows up to 1.5 m as a shrub, but under favorable conditions can become a 6 m tall tree. This plant may also be known by the common names: Gray Willow, Smooth Willow, White Willow, or Glaucous Willow. The bark is gray and smooth. The leaves are a glaucous green, alternately arranged, 3-5 cm long, narrow and elliptic shaped, and have silky white hairs. The flowers are short, densely haired catkins, which are cylinder flower clusters that appear in May. The flowers develop into whitish yellow seed capsules. As with many Willow species, this plant is very flood tolerant and hardy. This shrub is a valuable source of food for many wildlife species. However, Willow trees are also a preferred food and building material for beavers.

Planting conditions

The Gray Willow grows best in moist or wet conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It can also grow in well-drained rocky areas. It can grow in a variety of soil types with a normal pH level. This plant can be naturally found along river or lake shorelines, in moist forests, and in open rocky subalpine habitats.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 1a
  • 1b
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 2m
• Spread:
  • 2 m