‘Bankers’

‘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.