Silky Willow
Salix sericea
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Internet Archive Book Images (www.flickr.com)







Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix sericea
- USDA Symbol:
- SASE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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
One-eyed sphinx (Smerinthus cerisyi), Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadicum)
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 cutting.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, silty or sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and riparian zones
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
Pre-treatment: The bottom end of each cutting was dipped in a solution of Dip N Grow rooting hormone. The solution was made by combining 1 part liquid rooting compound with 10 parts water.
Establishment: Healthy whips of silky willow were collected in the spring from within the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest near Bartow, WV. The plant is widely distributed in the eastern half of the US and eastern Canada.
Source: npn.rngr.net