Meadow Willow

Botanical Name: Salix petiolaris
Family: Salicaceae Native to: Eastern North America, Interior North America
Hardy to zone: 2
Eco benefits: attracts pollinators
Natural habitat: swamps & bogs, floodplains
Shapes: multi-stemmed
Growth rate: fast
Common uses: naturalized plantings
Light: full sun
Transplanting: easy
Soil: moist and fertile, tolerates heavy clay, tolerates wet feet, wet
Reproduction type: dioecious

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Meadow willow is a North American shrub reaching about 10ft in height. Typical of many willows, It is Fast growing, short lived, occurs in wet thickets, and is shade intolerant.

Leaves are long and narrow with pointed bases and tips. Dullness, shinyness and whether they are toothed can vary. Twigs are upright, flexible, yellowish, and somewhat hairy. Flowering happens in May and flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects. Seeds are released in June.

Meadow willow propagates easily by cuttings and can be coppiced (grown to harvest its stems) for use in basket making.

Salix geyeriana is similar in appearance and can be difficult to tell apart from Salix petiolaris.