Silky Willow

Silky Willow Tree for Sale - Salix sericea

The Silky Willow (Salix sericea) is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern USA. This shrub loves moist environments and grows naturally in wetlands, and along stream and river banks. It is considered a shrub or a small tree as it can grow fairly large. Due to its fast-growing nature and attractive form, it is considered an ornamental species.

Blooming before the leaves emerge in spring, it produces gray catkins with bright yellow tips. The plant is dioecious, with male and female flowers growing on separate plants. It is multi-stemmed with colorful branches adding shades of red, brown, purple, and yellow to your gardenscape.

Plant Details of Silky Willow (Salix sericea)

Family: Salicaceae

Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8

Light Requirement: Full sun preferred

Water Needs: High

Height: 6 - 12 ft

Spread: 6 - 10 ft

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: Early spring

Flower Color: Yellowish catkins

Wildlife Value: Provides early-season nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators

Lanceolate in shape, the leaves are light green and slivery in color. Each leaf of this beautiful shrub has silky hairs covering its underside, a characteristic from which this shrub gets its common name. These silky hairs cause the foliage to shimmer in the sunlight, particularly when there is a gentle breeze.

Like with other willow trees, the Silky Willow contains salicylic acid. This compound was used to make aspirin when the medicine was first developed. However, synthetic forms of salicylic acid are now used today. Indigenous tribes used this shrub in teas to treat fever and relieve pain.

Landscape Uses and Maintenance for Silky Willow Trees

It can grow in full sun or shade. It prefers acidic, moist soils but can tolerate drier soils, even though it prefers wetter environments. It is a useful plant for erosion control. This shrub is susceptible to a wide variety of pests and diseases such as aphids, caterpillars, and rust. However, the effects of these ailments are usually cosmetic and do not result in death.

Noteworthy Characteristics of Shrub Willow Tree (Salix sericea)

Easy to grow, favors wet soils, attractive foliage. Plant this wetland-loving shrub in your rain garden or along a pond bank and watch its foliage shimmer in the breeze. Shop for Silky Willow shrubs online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.