Sand-bar willow has showy narrow drooping leaves that are very long, dark-green and narrow, kind of like vanilla beans hanging down from the stem.Ĭarolina willow ( Salix caroliniana) will grow into a twenty-foot tall and wide tree that resembles a weeping willow.

It is twiggy and dense in form, eliminating weeds effectively. Sand-bar willow ( Salix interior) is a showy shrub for landscaping with the potential to reach eight feet in height and greater in width, making an excellent screen. It has the showiest buds, flowers and stems of the Missouri willow species and has potential for cut-flower use. Butter-yellow flowers emerge in spring from reddish flower buds and stems. Branches grow laterally and root at the edges as the plant expands outward at a slow to moderate rate. The variety growing in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden grows similarly to the ‘Brazil’ strain of prairie willow but is slightly bigger, growing six to eight feet tall. In gardens it thrives in sun or part shade and clay soils, wet or dry. Heart-leaved willow ( Salix eriocephala) grows wild in wet woodlands, wetlands and along creeks. There are eco-types of prairie willow that grow much taller so look for the low-growing form of prairie willow from Shaw Nature Reserve called the ‘Brazil’ strain (discovered near Brazil, Missouri) at the Spring Wildflower Market on Mother’s day weekend. It also grows densely with a profusion of slender stems, eliminating weeds effectively. It may be grown as a low hedge or mass, as it tends to grow outward more than upward, like ‘Gro Low’ aromatic sumac. It is an upland willow species, growing in dry prairies and a good choice for difficult low-maintenance dry landscapes. It also is the favorite food of mourning cloak and red admiral butterflies whose caterpillars feed on the leaves in summer. It blooms in early March, coinciding with the emergence of early-season bees and flies that are hungry for its abundant pollen and nectar. When pruned every other year, plant height may be reduced. It has a slow-to-moderate growth rate and will form a small colony over many years. They grow quickly to thirty feet, which is too large for most gardens.įortunately there is prairie willow ( Salix humilis), a small clump-forming shrub that grows about five feet tall with branches that extend horizontally as the plant grows.

But as useful as black willows are in healing damaged creeks, they are thought of as weeds in the landscape. Seedlings grow rapidly to stabilize creek and river edges that get scoured from spring rainstorms natures living Band-Aid. There is no need for a cold winter to break seed dormancy.

Those that land on disturbed wet bare soil or gravel, sprout immediately and grow fast. They produce millions and millions of fluffy air-born seeds that may fly for miles. Why house gutters? Their seeds are like Who-ville specks flying on the wind in late spring (see Dr.

It comes up in house gutters, garden beds, low farmers’ fields, roadside ditches, pond margins and every creek-side gravel bar in the eastern half of the United States. There is perhaps no native plant more ubiquitous than willow, especially black willow ( Salix nigra). Opal Whitely, The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow I feel the feels of gladness they do feel”. We have conversations, and there I do dabble my toes beside the willows. “Between the ranch house and the house we live in is the singing creek where the willows grow. There is perhaps no native plant more ubiquitous than willow, especially black willow (Salix nigra).

Muse bar willow lawn