Rock Willow
Salix vestita
- Native to:
- Canada, China, Labrador, Russia, United States
iNaturalist: © nbforager (iNaturalist #222345822)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix vestita
- USDA Symbol:
- SAVE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow-green
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
dingy fritillary (Clossiana improba), Giant Sulphur (Colias gigantea), Titania's fritillary (Clossiana titania), 🛑Uncompahgre fritillary (Boloria acrocnema)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Typically found in alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification; sow in moist sand at 4°C for 60-90 days.
Pre-treatment: Cuttings are 10 cm in length and 1.0 cm in caliper. They are placed in a 2 minute fungicide bath to remove surface pathogens and treated with 1000 ppm liquid IBA. Cuttings are then struck in mist bed with at least 2 nodes below the surface of the rooting medium.
Establishment: Salix vestita can be easily produced by either softwood or hardwood cuttings. Initial rooting occurs in one week. The plant occurs from southern B.C. and Alberta to Washington, northeastern Oregon, and central Montana in meadows, talus and scree near or above treeline.
Source: npn.rngr.net