gracilistyla

A widely spreading shrub with long graceful arching branches. Young stems are green and are covered with fine silky hairs. Catkins are produced in masses before the leaves in March-April and the 2in male flowers are particularly showy: silver–gray at first, then bright red as the anthers appear, turning orange then yellow—hence Rose-gold Willow. The handsome gray-green leaves start silky above, glaucous beneath. Native of Japan, Korea, China, this gift from the East is a great garden plant. It has produced many hybrids and cultivars and these are described in a Scientific Journal published in 2016.