General Culture:
Grow in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Prefers moist soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This purpleosier willow cultivar is a compact, rounded, deciduous shrub which typically grows to 5' tall and features attractive purple stems. Often best grown as a 2-3' tall, clipped shrub. Very narrow, blue-green leaves (to 4" long). Dioecious. Grayish-white male and female flowering catkins (1 inch) bloom in early spring before the foliage. Slender and supple twigs can be used to make baskets.
Problems:
Susceptible to numerous foliar diseases, blights and cankers and many insect pests including aphids, scale and borers.
Uses:
Purple stems, catkins, ability to grow in wet conditions and winter interest are the main reasons for growing this shrub. Excellent clipped hedge. Grows well in moist places where other shrubs may falter. Excellent in low spots or along ponds or streams.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2009
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