Creeping Willow

Salix repens

Native to:
Austria, Baltic States, Belgium, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix repens
USDA Symbol:
SARE20

Growth Characteristics

Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may
Bloom Colors:
yellow, green
Ground Cover:
Yes
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

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:
bees, butterflies, moths, birds
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from rootstock following fire or cutting.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Common in dunes and wet heaths

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–28 days
Notes:
Seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist soil surface; light required for germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI