Salix petiolaris (Slender or Meadow Willow)


Michael's Opinion

Salix petiolaris resembles a small tree or large shrub and because of this odd shape it is sometimes difficult to place in the right location in the landscape. Often times Salix petiolaris will be pruned to look like a shrub but without any pruning this plant can become very unkempt and may distract from the rest of the garden.

Botanical Information

FamilySalicaceae
GenusSalix
Speciespetiolaris
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous), Shrub (deciduous)
ReferencesPetrides, George A. "A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs; Field Marks of All Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines That Grow Wild in the Northeastern and North-central United States and in Southeastern and South-central Canada". Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1972. Print. Soper, James H., and Margaret L. Heimburger. "Shrubs of Ontario". Toronto: ROM, 1982. Print.
OriginNative to eastern North America.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone8b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone3a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-23-(-26)
Temperature (°F)-10 - (-15)
Height3 m
Spreadup to 3 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA native tree that is fast growing with a somewhat weedy appearance.
ID CharacteristicAlternate, simple leaves, silky abaxial, green and smooth adaxial with yellow petioles.
ShapeSalix petiolaris is a medium sized shrub with ascending branches that are often clumped together.
PropagationSalix petioralis can be propagated from woody stem, soft wood and semi hardwood cuttings with or without rooting hormone. Seeding and layering can also be used.
CultivationDoes not tolerate high alkaline soil but will withstand poor soils and will tolerate dry soils once established.
PestsThe Japanese beetle is a common pest as is powdery mildew, neither of which seem fatal.
HabitatCommonly found in damp wet habitats, meadows and swamps but has also been found in dry upland sites such as Jack Pine woods in Southern Ontario, Canada.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark on young growth is greyish-green or reddish-brown and smooth becoming dark brown-black with age.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe 2 black bud scales are densely pubescent, similar to Magnoila x soulangiana, buds are 5-7 mm in length.
Leaf DescriptionAlternate and simple, young leaves are pubescent with reddish tinge from the coloured hairs. The leaf blade is a linear lanceolate shape and is 2.7 cm long to 2.5 cm wide.
Flower DescriptionThe catkins shrub are somewhat elliptical, 1-2 cm, the filaments slightly pubescent near the base while the pistols are densely hairy.
Colour DescriptionYoung bark is reddish-brown to dark-brown, turning olive-brown as it matures. Catkins are white-olive-green while dense growing shrubs may appear yellowish inside colour due to the number and colour of the petioles.
Texture DescriptionSalix petiolaris is a fine to medium textured plant.

Photographs