glabra

This is a relatively dwarf, compact shrub, growing 3-5ft tall and about the same in width. It originates in the Eastern Europe Alps. As the name implies it has smooth, hairless leaves that are green on both surfaces, paler beneath; 2–2.5in long and half as wide. Ours is a male selection and buds start opening in early May and are in peak bloom by the middle of the month. The abundant catkins are produced on a short leafy stems with hairs on the edges of the leaves that soon fall off. The catkins are silvery pink at first, gradually deepening in color as the red anthers show through the hairs. The anthers become an orange red as they mature and turn yellow with pollen in full flower! They fade into a straw color as the pollen is lost and have little maroon tips on the filaments. Quite a show if you watch frequently enough.