Park Willow

Salix monticola

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix monticola
USDA Symbol:
SAMO2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
400 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
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)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Hare-Lip Dagger Moth (Acronicta lepusculina), Io moth (Automeris io), Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus)

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 roots and crown following fire or mechanical damage.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Common in riparian zones and wetland areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–28 days
Notes:
Willow seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist substrate; no dormancy but viability drops rapidly within weeks.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: S. monticola is found from Alaska to Labrador and Quebec. It is also found in the United States in Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

Source: npn.rngr.net