12 Willow Trees and Shrubs to Consider for Your Landscape (2024)

Gardening

Shrubs

• 01 of 12

  Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana)

  

  This is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that naturally grows in thickets alongside streams, lakes, and bogs. It is a dominant natural species in wetlands across the northern tier of North America but is rarely found south of zone 4.The wood of the Bebb willow is often used in carving. Outside of its use in woodworking and for securing river banks, Bebb willow has few landscape uses, since it is short-lived and prone to insect and disease damage. Once established, this species is relatively drought-tolerant.

  Regionally, you may hear Bebb willow called by other common names, including beaked willow, gray will, diamond willow, or long-beaked willow. This species is known to readily hybridize with other willow species, so precise identification is sometimes difficult.

  • Native Area: Northern half of North America
  • USDA Growing Zones:3 to 7
  • Height:10 to 30 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to shade

• 02 of 12

  Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana Tortuosa)

  

  This variety is favored due to its twisting branches that can add winter interest. It is a true tree rather than a multi-stemmed shrubby plant. The corkscrew willow is also used as an accent in floral arrangements and as bonsai. Regionally, this plant goes by several other common names, including curly willow, globe willow, Pekin willow, and twisted willow. The species form, S. matsudana, is closely related to the weeping willow, and some botanists consider it to be a naturally occurring variation of that tree. S. matsudana 'Tortuosa' is one of the most popular cultivars, featuring twisted branches; others include 'Golden Curls' and 'Scarlet Curls'.

  • Native Area:Northeastern China
  • USDA Growing Zones:4 to 9
  • Height:20 to 50 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  See Also

  Willow Tree - Övrigt Bokhandeln

• 03 of 12

  Narrowleaf Willow (Salix exigua)

  

  Also known as coyote willow, this is a shrubby form of willow, often used to make flexible poles or building materials. Rustic furniture is often made from the branches of this plant, which have an attractive gray, furrowed bark. Although this plant has a very broad natural range across most of North America, it is considered endangered or threatened in some parts of the eastern U.S.

  This plant may have other common names in different regions, including dusky willow, and gray willow. In addition to its use as a source of building materials, it is sometimes planted and pruned as a small ornamental tree. It has a remarkable tolerance for different conditions, thriving both in drought conditions and extended flooding.

  • Native Area:all of North America, Alaska to Louisiana
  • USDA Growing Zones:2 to 9
  • Height:6 to 15 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

• 04 of 12

  Dappled Willow (Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki')

  

  This willow shrub works well as a specimen plant since the leaves are variegated, featuring shades of pink, green, and white. The pink comes when the leaves first appearand fade to just green and white as the season progresses. As a bonus, the branches turn an attractive red in the winter. Growing from multiple stems, it works well in shrub borders or rain gardens.

  Other common names for this plant include variegated willow, Nishiki willow, Japanese dappled willow, Japanese variegated willow, and tricolor willow. This willow may also be sold under the variety name of 'Albomaculata'. Another willow with similar markings isSalix integra 'Flamingo'.

  • Native Area:Russia, Japan, Korea, northeastern China
  • USDA Growing Zones:4 to 9
  • Height:4 to 6 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Continue to 5 of 12 below

• 05 of 12

  Goat Willow (Salix caprea)

  

  Goat willow is one of several willow species that is also sometimes known as puss* willow. Goat willow is a large shrub or small tree that is often grown for the attractive puffy catkins. Kept closely pruned, it is sometimes used for hedges and screens, or as a filler plant in boggy areas. Goat willow is one of only a few willow species that does not propagate easily from cuttings, so both a male and female plant will be needed for proper pollination and production of seeds.

  In addition to puss* willow, this plant may be known regionally by other common names, including great sallow, European puss* willow, and French puss* willow.

  • Native Area:Western and Central Asia, Europe
  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
  • Height:12 to 30 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

• 06 of 12

  Peach-Leaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides)

  

  Like its common name, the leaves on this willow resemble peach tree leaves. Like the goat willow, propagation is done by seeds, since cuttings root with difficulty, if at all. It is a fairly large tree that grows quickly but does not live to old age. It can be used to quickly fill bare areas and to control erosion. In natural settings, it can often be found growing alongside cottonwood trees.

  Other common names for this plant include almond willow and Wright willow.

  • Native Area:North America, U.S. through southern Canada
  • USDA Growing Zones:3 to 5
  • Height:30 to 50feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

• 07 of 12

  Purple Osier Willow (Salix purpurea)

  

  The purple osier willow is a shrub that has purple stems and blue-green leaves when the plants are juveniles. It can handle some shade and dry soil. It is normally planted in order to control erosion along streams and lakes. It can also be planted as a hedge. The attractive flowers and stems can be used in crafts. This willow has been used for the treatment of pain, due to the presence of salicin in its bark.Purple osier willow may require cutting back to the ground every three to five years in order to keep the plant vigorous and maintain the proper ornamental shape.

  Other common names for this plant includebasket willow, Alaska blue willow, purple willow, and blue Arctic willow.

  • Native Area:Western Asia, North Africa, and Europe
  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Height:8 to 15 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun

• 08 of 12

  puss* Willow (Salix discolor)

  

  Along with the goat willow, this is the American willow species that falls under the common name puss* willow. The puss* willow is commonly grown for use by the floral design industry. In landscapes, it sometimes appears in hedges and in rain gardens.Unlike goat willow, which has thicket-like multiple stems growing from the ground, S. discolor can be shaped into a small tree or a shrub with a central stem.

  Other common names for this plant includeAmerican puss* willow, glaucous willow, large puss* willow, and American willow.

  • Native Area:North America, Canada to central U.S.
  • USDA Growing Zones:4 to 8
  • Height:2 to 25 feet tall, depending on the variety
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Continue to 9 of 12 below

• 09 of 12

  Willow (Salix scouleriana) (Scouler #39)

  

  Scouler's willow is a multiple-stemmed tree that tolerates drier conditions than many willows. This is another diamond willow popular for carving and was discovered by Scottish naturalist John Scouler. It is sometimes planted as a hedge or to control erosion along a body of water, though caution is advised since this plant can be invasive—it can quickly take over a landscape, especially after fire or logging. Scouler's willow is an important source of browsing vegetation for deer, elk, and other wildlife. It is an unusual willow in its willingness to grow in close proximity to other trees, often appearing in mixed forests.

  Other commonnames for this willow includefire willow, black willow, and western puss* willow.

  • Native Area:Western North America, Alaska to northern mountain states of the U.S.
  • USDA Growing Zones:3 to 9
  • Height: 20 to 50 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

• 10 of 12

  Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

  

  The weepingwillow is perhaps the most well-known of all landscape trees with a weeping habit. It works well to grace the edges of a pond or lake, but it can also be used as a landscape specimen tree in larger yards. The branches will sway delightfully in the breeze, though stronger winds might break off some of the stems and litter the ground. Plan on replacing it in about 30 years, as weeping willows are not long-lived. While growing to full size, though, it may add as much as 10 feet each year.

  • Native Area:Northern China
  • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
  • Height:35 to 50 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun

• 11 of 12

  White Willow (Salix alba)

  

  The white willow may sometimes be infected by fungi that produce the diamond willow characteristic. Itsname comes from the fact that the leaves are white underneath. It is not a good tree in most landscape situations because of its weak wood and enormous size but is sometimes used to fill in lowwet spots. One popular variety, Salix alba'Tristis' is sold as a golden weeping willow.The stems are often used in basket weaving. This is an extremely large and fast-growing tree, so make sure to plant it in a spot with plenty of space.

  • Native Area:Western and central Asia, Europe
  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Height:50 to 100 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

• 12 of 12

  Yellow Willow (Salix lutea)

  

  Yellow willow is a shrubby form that may approach the size of an upright tree. It is a favorite food of moose, elk, sheep, and beavers. It occurs naturally across much of western and central North America, and it is sometimes planted to repair areas that have hadfloods, erosion, or other problems. It reproduces easily both through cuttings and seeds.

  • Native Area:North America, from central Canada to western and central U.S.
  • USDA Growing Zones:2 to 9
  • Height:Can be over 20 feet tall
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun