It Pays to Talk With Friends
I got a comment on my Spring Ephemeral post about willows. This is from a friend with whom I've been exchanging Tree-Mail, but it points out the value of paying attention to other people. I hadn't been thinking of putting willows in my yard, but she noted that can be an early pollen source.
So let's take a look at some options!
Willow Research
I started with the Minnesota Wildflowers web site, and looked for all the Salix species, and eliminated any that weren't normally growing in Ramsey county, where I live. They are all perennials.
Salix amygdaloides
The Peach-leaved Willow grows from 13 to 65 feet, and normally occurs in wetlands. It blossoms from May to June. According to garden.org, it attracts birds and bees, the former like the fruit, the latter are pollinators. It likes full sun and tolerates poor soil, and will handle a slightly acidic or neutral soil pH.
Salix bebbiana
The Bebb's Willow grows from 4 to 25 feet, and normally occurs in wetlands. It blossoms from May to June. Garden.org lists is as the Beaked Willow, and it also attracts birds and bees. It likes full sun and tolerates poor soil, and will handle a slightly acidic or neutral soil pH.
Salix candida
The Sage-leaved Willow grows from 12 to 40 inches (under 4 feet!), and is an obligate wetland plant (this likely makes this not a good choice for me). It blooms from April to June, so earlier than the first two. Garden.org lists it at the Hoary Willow, but doesn't give much information. It seems to prefer full sun.
Salix discolor
This is the Pussy Willow, and is a plant I had considered. It grows from 6 to 30 feet high, which I didn't realize, blooms from April to May, and prefers wetlands. Garden.org lists it as liking full or partial sun, that it prefers neutral-pH soil, and attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It tolerates poor soil, and is both drought- and flood-resistant.
Salix eriocephala
This is the Missouri River Willow, which grows 6 to 22 feet tall, blooms from April to May, and prefers wetlands. Garden.org doesn't have much, but suggests that it tolerates poor soil and is pollinated by bees. It seems to prefer full sun.
Salix humilis
Known as the Prairie Willow, this grows 1 to 10 feet tall, blooms from April to May, and is usually not found in wetlands, which is noteworthy. Garden.org indicates that it can handle partial as well as full sun, that it likely gets to 4 feet high, that it attracts birds and bees, and tolerates poor soil. This one stands out to me so far, because of the manageable height and that it doesn't require wet conditions all the time.
Salix interior
Called the Sandbar Willow, this grows 6 to 22 feet tall, blooms from May to July, and is usually found in wetlands. Garden.org notes that it tolerates full or partial sun, likes slightly acidic or neutral-pH soil, normally grows 6 to 8 feet, tolerates poor soil, is flood resistant, and birds will eat the fruit.
Salix lucida
This is the Shining Willow, which grows 3 to 20 feet tall, blooms from May to June, and is usually found in wetlands. Garden.org calls it the Greenleaf Willow, says it requires full sun, handles acidic or neutral-pH soil, attracts birds and bess, is flood tolerant, and tolerates poor soil.
Salix nigra
Called the Black Willow, grows 15 to 80 feet tall, blooms from May to June, and is almost always in wetlands, or may even require such a planting. Garden.org says it can handle everything from full sun to full shade, has fragrant flowers, the fruit is edible to birds, and attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. But it also notes it is suitable for bog gardening.
Salix pedicellaris
Known as the Bog Willow, it grows no more than five feet high, blooms from April to June, and requires wetlands to grow. Garden.org has next to nothing about this plant.
Salix petiolaris
Called the Meadow Willow, this grows 3 to 20 feet, blooms from April to May, and pretty much requires a wetland to grow. Garden.org doesn't add much except that it is pollinated by bees. It seems to prefer sun.
Salix pyrifolia
Called the Balsam Willow, this grows 1 to 13 feet, blooms from May to June, and is usually found in wetlands. Garden.org doesn't add much. It wants full sun.
Salix serissima
Known as the Autumn Willow, it grows 3 to 10 feet, blooms from May to June, and is obligated to be in wetlands. Garden.org doesn't add much. It wants sun.
Evaluation of the Willows
As I said earlier, these are all Minnesota native plants, all woody perennials. From what I've read on-line, you can prune willow like you would any other tree or bush, including cutting back taller stems and shortening branches. This suggests that I could train any willow to whatever height I want, except that I'm increasing my effort, and I try to take an easier path when I can!
If I had to pick only one, it would probably be Salix humilis, the Prairie Willow. It doesn't grow more than ten feet tall, is usually not found in wetlands, and handles partial sun and poor soil.
I have to also give a nod to Salix discolor, the Pussy Willow. I've always liked the look of the wands one sees in flower arrangements. It can grow tall, though the Garden.org entry says it is 15 to 20 feet, which isn't bad at all. And it draws a number of creatures, will tolerate drought as well as flood, tolerates salt, and tolerates partial shade as well as full sun.
What Next?
We're having bitterly cold temperatures this weekend, so going outside is being kept to a minimum. I'm going to post the February information from the month-by-month gardening book soon.
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