Salix purpurea
Purpleosier Willow, Basket Willow
Salicaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to Europe, northern Africa to central Asia and Japan
- zone 3
Habit and Form
- a deciduous, large shrub
- 8' to 10' tall
- rounded, dense shape
- shrub composed of thin branches
- fast growth rate
- fine texture
Summer Foliage
- alternate (occasionally opposite) leaf arrangement
- simple, deciduous leaves
- oblanceolate leaves
- leaf tips are serrated
- leaves are dark blue-green
- glaucous beneath
- leaves are 2" to 4" long
Autumn Foliage
- leaves turn purplish black
- not ornamentally important
Flowers
- attractive male flowers
Fruit
- not ornamentally important
Bark
- purplish stem color on upperside of stem
- green stem color on underside of stem
- buds are small, appressed, purplish
- stems are very thin
- stems turn a light gray when mature
Culture
- fast growing
- easily transplanted form containers are B&B
- prefers moist soil
- prefers to grow along water sources
- full sun
- pH adaptable
Landscape Use
- good tree for wet sites
- for color
- for fine texture
- for flowers
- stabilize stream banks
- basket weaving
Liabilities
- numerous insect and disease problems
- suckers
- short-lived
ID Features
- purple stems
- alternate or opposite leaf arrangement
- linear leaves with serrated leaf tips
- fine texture
Propagation
- by cuttings
- by seed
Cultivars/Varieties
'Gracilis' - This plant grows larger than 'Nana', but features similar blue-green leaves. It is a spreading plant that grows 6' tall and wider, with slender twigs.
'Nana' - Notable both for its striking blue-green leaves and more compact habit, this plant usually fails to grow taller than 6'.
'Pendula' - A form with spreading, slightly pendant branches, this plant is often grafted on a standard to form an unusual small tree.
'Streamco' - This USDA selection is very vigorous with sucker production and self-layering. Therefore, it is very effective at bank stabilization. It grows to at least 12' tall and wide.