Silky Willow

Salix sericea

Native to:
Canada, United States

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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