Silky Willow Tree for Sale - Salix sericea
The Silky Willow (Salix sericea) is a deciduous shrub native to 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 and male and female flowers grow 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 pest and diseases such as aphids, caterpillars and rust. However, the effects of these ailments are usually cosmetic and do not result in the death.
Noteworthy Characteristics of Silky Willow (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.
