Native | Vermont Willow Nursery

salix ssp

Aric Vanselous — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:47:59 +0000

What the heck is a salix ssp? Well, salix is the genus name for willow that’s easy. Ssp, on the other hand means subspecies. A subspecies of salix is…everything we offer! This product will include a mix of the following willows, sourced from stands throughout our surrounding area:

All of which are NATIVE! Does your contract call for salix ssp? Does it call for natives? We’ve got your back!

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salix ssp

Aric Vanselous — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 16:04:34 +0000

All of which are NATIVE! Does you contract call for salix ssp? Does it call for natives? We’ve got your back!

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lasiolepis ‘Rouge’

Aric Vanselous — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 18:42:34 +0000

Arroyo Willow

arroyo = a steep-sided gully found in arid regions carved by fast flowing water

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Willow AT A GLANCE

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USDA Hardiness Zone

6, maybe 5

Blooming Period

Stay tuned!

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Sex

Stay tuned!

Potential Height

35 ft

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Uses

Native gardens, pollinator assistance

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The post lasiolepis ‘Rouge’ first appeared on Vermont Willow Nursery.

serissima

Aric Vanselous — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 19:55:11 +0000

Although this is reported to occur in Vermont, it hasn’t been found here in the wild for many years. So now it is here—out of state friends graciously shared cuttings with us and it turns out that what have flowered are female. We hoped for both so we could establish a colony on our property! We do have the male selection now and seeds are produced yearly now.

This shrub can grow to 12ft and has branchlets that are green at first, turn olive-brown, then reddish in late summer-early fall. Leaves are large shiny, rich green with serrated edges and short-pointed (not long pointed as fellow native S. lucida). At the base of each leaf where it meets the petiole glands are situated. At the base of the leaf where it meets the stem stipules may be present or absent. Catkins appear with the leaves in spring and the fertilized females remain green and do not open until autumn—hence it’s colloquial name. The amazing thing about this is that willow seed is normally very short-lived (3-4 days at best), however the seedlings of serrissima don’t germinate until Spring. This habit has caused some confusion as it was thought by some to be a fall flowering Willow! Flower buds appear in late summer, green at first, they gradually turn red; they are flattened at the pointed tip. Female catkins are 1–2in long and although we have not seen a male flower, they are about the same size.

Description Credit to Michael Dodge

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pyrifolia

Aric Vanselous — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 19:50:16 +0000

This lovely Willow is native to the upper Northeastern States and most of the Canadian Provinces. On our property in Vermont we have one bush of this species; it’s a lonely male clone and we haven’t seen another plant of this species anywhere else in Vermont, although they are reported in the State. We have been given cuttings of other specimens of this species and some of them are female–so I will plant some near this lonely male so he can do his thing with a lady of his own kind!

This is a choice species, one of the most attractive native willows in the Northeast. Great foliage, beautiful flowers and winter stems that are very glossy dark red or reddish brown. The leaves are thin so that when they are very young they can be translucent; often they are red-tinged making it even more attractive. The leaves are glossy above and are, of course pear-shaped, but much smaller. The flowers open just as the leaves appear; in the meadow where it grows, it is surrounded by male and female bebbiana, discolor, eriocephala and petiolaris (and maybe sericea). We keep hoping to find a hybrid between the pear-leaf and one of the others; apparently hybrids with discolor have been reported, but no convincing specimens have been found (George Argus, Flora of North America). We might have to try our hands pollinating this to verify it! BTW I have never been able to smell the balsam odor on the buds and fresh leaves, sadly I have a lousy sense of smell! As this grows at 70° N above the Arctic Circle in Canada it maybe hardy to Zone 2 and could be our hardiest willow!

Description Credit to Michael Dodge

The post pyrifolia first appeared on Vermont Willow Nursery.

myricoides ‘Bronze Beauty’

Aric Vanselous — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 19:44:50 +0000

Bayberry or Blueleaf Willow

myricoides = myrica like

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Willow AT A GLANCE

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USDA Hardiness Zone

Possibly as low as 2+, but unconfirmed

Blooming Period

Mid Spring

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Sex

Female

Potential Height/Width

Unsure...stay tuned!

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Uses

Fantastic ornamental

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‘Bankers’

Lisa — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 19:27:47 +0000

‘Bankers’, was released by the USDA Quicksand, Kentucky Plant Materials Center in 1983 as Salix xcottetii ‘Bankers’ (see below the ‘Bankers’ photos). Unfortunately a Government mix-up must have happened as this plant selection was said to be a “dwarf willow” from the alpine region of Western Germany.

At first I thought that was a selection of Salix myricoides, but that species is a pussy willow–catkins appear before the leaves. A Russian Salicologist examined the number of ovules the the female catkins and proved that it had no Salix myricoides in its history. He asserted that it is probably a hybrid of Salix eriocephala and another native species, but didn’t know which one. Regardless of its history, it is a cool selection. It is more compact and denser than other forms Salix eriocephala. This is a female selection with green catkins about 2in long on short leafy stems. In summer 2017 I saw a plant of Bankers about 10ft high and 10ft wide, but it is much more attractive if coppiced regularly.

Description Credit to Michael Dodge

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bebbiana

Lisa — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 15:05:50 +0000

Bebb’s Willow is a native common throughout northern North America and the southwestern states, though a little less so down that way. As all salix, it is a vital source of nourishment for pollinators of all types. Once bent by the snows of winter, the branches reach down to also provide for herbivores of all sizes. Moose and snowhares are noted as having a particularly affinity for it.

This would serve well anyone looking to create a native plant garden, or like the native Americans for weaving and fletchery. We’re still exploring willow’s use as livestock fodder, but the USDA gives it a “high palatability rating”.

The USDA has an amazing and thorough write-up on bebbiana here.

Please note: Our bebbiana seem to have issues rooting, and have had others reach out similarly stumped. If you’re still interested please know that I cannot guarantee success, thus this will not be protected by our willlowy warranty. Still undaunted? You rock, please let me know how you fare via email!

2025 Update: Has a corner turned? I spoke with a remediation specialist who uses lots of bebbiana to great success. What a mystery! Keep the updates coming, intrepid willowers, and receive love!

The post bebbiana first appeared on Vermont Willow Nursery.

pellita

Aric Vanselous — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:19:13 +0000

Shrub of northern beaches and riverbanks that grows from 2-18ft depending on location; the Satiny Willow is a distinctive shrub or small tree, found mainly in eastern Canada and bordering States. It takes its name from the lustrous, velvety leaves. The leaves are long, narrow and pointed, with straight, wavy, or slightly notched margins, that roll inwards. They are green above and densely silky-hairy beneath with a grayish, bluish, or whitish waxy coating on the underside. The hairs are whitish or sometimes rusty in colour–ours are pure white. In contrast, the upper surface of the leaves is glossy and hairless, or has only a sparse covering of fine hairs. The branches of the satiny willow are extremely brittle at the base and are reddish-brown or yellow-brown, with a grayish waxy or powdery coating. Flower buds appear in late summer and have reddish brown bud-scales and are pointed at the tip. Catkins appear in early Spring before the leaves and grow 1–1.5in long. The anthers (pollen sacs) appear on long white filaments (stalks) somewhat reminiscent of a pincushion! George Argus, the pre-eminent Salix taxonomist in North America, kindly shared cuttings of this truly beautiful plant with me. Can easily be confused with the non-native S. viminalis that has naturalized in some areas, but the leaves of S. pellita are shinier and whiter underneath; also the twigs of the Satiny Willow are much more brittle at the base.

Description Credit to Michael Dodge

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interior

Lisa — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 22:44:43 +0000

Warning! Can be invasive!

Interior is one of the best willows we offer for streambank restoration! It is very definition of “Plant and Forget” when it comes to streams that are in dire need of vegetation. It’s superior root network is also why we consider it invasive. It is one of the few willows that sends new growth up shallow roots called rhizomes. We’ve got one stool that has managed to travel under a four foot wide walking path to reach an adjacent field – any time a rod grows in the path it gets mowed – and yet it thrives. Interior can be managed, however, if proper steps are taken

The rods are pliable and well-suited for weaving too! Like all willows, the more you coppice (or mow) the more new growth you encourage. More new growth means more catkins. More catkins means more happy pollinators! Or you could let it age to provide a little shade for streams and habitat for birds. Willows fill a vital role in the ecosystem at every stage in it’s lifecycle.

We’ve seen some pretty great studies that show interior also cleanses the area in which it’s planted – a process called “phytoremediation”. Stay tuned to the Salix Garden for more information.

Click Here To See Interior's USDA Fact Sheet

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