Grayleaf Willow

Salix glauca

Native to:
Aleutian Is., Austria, Canada, China, Finland, Føroyar, Greenland, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Labrador, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix glauca
USDA Symbol:
SAGL

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
yellow, green
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire or mechanical damage.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
pH:
5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Common in tundra and boreal regions; prefers cold climates.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Willow seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist substrate; they require light for germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 30 days.

Source: npn.rngr.net