Salix irrorata (Blue-Stem Willow, Sandbar Willow)
Botanical Information
| Family | Salicaceae |
| Genus | Salix |
| Species | irrorata |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
| Origin | Genus name from the classical Latin name for Willow, also from the Celtic word 'sal' which means near and 'lis', meaning water. Native to southwestern United States of America including western Texas, Arizona and Colorado. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 7b - 8a |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -15 - (-9) |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 - 15 |
| Height | Up to 3 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | April |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Salix irrorata is a large, upright, dense ornamental shrub with long, glossy green foliage. |
| ID Characteristic | Stems turn a striking lavender colour in autumn and winter. |
| Cultivation | Grow in full sun to part shade. |
| Notable Specimens | RHS Garden Rosemoor, North Devon, England. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Smooth, purple-yellow, waxy. |
| Leaf Description | Oblong-lanceolate, 5 - 10 cm long, young leaves are russet coloured maturing to a glossy green above and grey-green below. |
| Flower Description | Flowers in catkins (flowering spikes) which are short and dense, 2 - 3 cm long, all of one sex, wind-pollinated. |
Photographs
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