15 Common Types Of Willow Trees To Grow

Native to North America, Narrowleaf Willow, is a hardy and adaptable species of willow. This deciduous shrub or small tree, with its dense, multi-stemmed growth and slender, lance-shaped leaves, is a stunning addition to any landscape.

The narrow-leaf willow, which may reach a height of 20 feet, is usually found near rivers, streams, and wetlands. It grows best in moist, sandy soils. It is essential for maintaining the stability of riverbanks and giving animals habitat.

This willow's silver-gray foliage and quick growth rate make it perfect for privacy screens, natural landscaping, and erosion prevention. Because of its versatility, it can be used both as a decorative and for ecological restoration.

Known by several names as Beaked Willow or Long-Beaked Willow, the Bebb Willow is a resilient and adaptable shrub that is Indigenous to North America. This medium-sized shrub or tree can reach a height of 6 to 30 feet and thrives in moist areas like lakeshores, riverbanks, and moist meadows.

Its smooth, whitish bark that becomes furrowed with age and its lance-shaped leaves with a slightly serrated edge are two of its distinctive characteristics.

Bebb, different types of willow trees are known for their capacity to withstand freezing temperatures and stabilize soil, which makes them a great option for projects involving erosion prevention and restoration. It makes tiny, barely noticeable catkins in the spring that draw a range of pollinators.

The Corkscrew Willow is an interesting variety of willow tree that gets its name from its distinctly curled and warped stems and branches. This deciduous tree, often called Curly Willow or Dragon's Claw, adds dramatic flare to landscapes with its spiral-shaped branches that remain visible long after the leaves have fallen.

Corkscrew Willows are a fantastic choice for a range of garden settings since they grow swiftly to 20–40 feet in height and prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. The lovely green canopy that its lance-shaped leaves generate in the spring and summer draws attention to its unusual structure.

Because its branches offer year-round visual interest and a whimsical touch of nature, they are ideal for ornamental purposes and are frequently used in flower arrangements.

Dappled Willow also referred to as Variegated or Japanese Willow, is known for its exquisite form and eye-catching foliage. The leaves on this pretty little tree or shrub turn pink in the spring and then turn a variegated mix of white, pink, and green as the season goes on.

The thin branches, which frequently have a crimson color that contrasts wonderfully with the foliage, give the arrangement a delicate, airy sensation. The Dappled Willow grows best in wet, well-drained soil with full to partial sun, making it a perfect choice for gardens and landscapes.

It is also utilized as a blended border element or as a decorative focal point. Its moderate height, which usually ranges from 6 to 10 feet, makes it an adaptable option for bringing color and texture to a variety of environments.

Often called Pussy Willow, goat willow is a big, adaptable, and resilient deciduous tree or shrub that is native to western Asia and Europe. It is well-known for its lovely, silvery catkins, which emerge in the early spring before the leaves open and give pollinators an early start on nectar.

This type of willow has broad, oval leaves with a downy underside, and it reaches a height of 8 to 10 meters. Goat willow is a great option for gardens, parks, and reclamation projects since it can grow in a variety of soil types, from wet and marshy to dry and well-drained. It also tolerates urban pollution very well.

The Goat Willow is a well-liked choice for enhancing the ecological value and visual attractiveness of landscapes because of its hardy nature and captivating seasonal characteristics.

The adaptable and hardy Peach-Leaf Willow is a species that is mostly found in North America. It gets its name from its long, narrow leaves, which resemble those of the peach tree. This deciduous tree, which frequently along the sides of rivers and streams, flourishes in damp conditions.

Since it can adapt to wet conditions, it is the perfect material for places that are vulnerable to erosion or flooding. The Peach-Leaf Willow, which usually grows to a height of 20 to 50 feet, is distinguished by its rounded crown and thin branches that create a delicate, airy canopy.

It bears tiny, insignificant flowers in the spring that draw a variety of pollinators. Its quick growth and capacity to increase soil stability make it a useful and lovely addition to natural landscapes and restoration initiatives.

The majority of Europe and western Asia are home to the deciduous shrub or small tree known as purple osier willow. It can grow up to 3/5 meters tall on average, with outliers up to 5 meters. It differs by bright reddish-purple to yellow-brown sprouts that turn pale grey as they age on older stems.

The branches are covered in thin, glossy green leaves that have a blue underside. Unlike most willows, these leaves frequently form opposing pairs instead of the more common alternate arrangement.

It gets its popular name from the small, inconspicuous catkins it produces in the early spring, which are frequently red or purple. This quick-growing plant is well-liked for hedging, ornamental plantings, and erosion control near streams since it grows well in full sun and damp soils.

One of the most common types of willow trees native to North America, the American Pussy Willow, is a tiny, deciduous tree or shrub. It usually grows to a height of six to fifteen feet and has a rounded crown. Wet areas such as wetlands, streambanks, and forests are ideal for its growth.

Salix discolor is most known for its early spring show, which features silver-furred catkins that appear before the leaves and signal the end of winter. In contrast to goat willow, which grows many, thicket-like stems from the ground, S. discolor can take the form of a tiny tree or shrub with a central stem.

Dioecious plants have distinct catkins on male and female plants, which give rise to the term pussy in common usage. Broad, vivid green leaves emerge after the catkins, enhancing this hardy willow species' aesthetic appeal.

Known for its distinctive, tumbling branches, the weeping willow trees or Salix babylonica are among the most well-known and cherished willow species. This deciduous tree, which is native to China and is extensively grown worldwide, is commonly known for its unique, beautiful shape.

Weeping Willows can grow to a height of 30 to 50 feet, and their long, pendulous branches gracefully fall to the ground to form a curtain of rich, green foliage. It looks great in ponds, rivers, and gardens, where it provides a calm, almost ethereal beauty. It grows well in damp conditions.

The tree is a great shade tree and soil erosion preventer due to its fast growth rate and wide root system. These same characteristics, however, may also necessitate careful placement in landscapes to prevent obstruction of structures and water lines.

Native to Europe and western Asia, the white willow (Salix alba) is a majestic tree renowned for its remarkable look and strong adaptability. This deciduous tree, which can grow up to 70 feet tall, differs by its almost white, pale bark and silvery-green leaves that are most fascinating when there is a breeze.

White willow trees are typically found near riverbanks and marshes, where their deep roots help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. They grow best in moist, low-lying regions. Its speedy growth makes it a popular choice for instant shade and visual appeal in landscape design.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the White Willow has a long history in traditional medicine due to the presence of salicin in its bark, which served as a forerunner to modern aspirin.

The stunning and hardy Yellow Willow (Salix lutea), a native of North America, can be identified by its vivid yellow stems. This deciduous tree, which is found near streams, rivers, and wetland areas, does well in damp soils, which makes it a popular option for restoring habitat and reducing erosion.

Reaching about 15 to 30 feet in height, it forms a broad, rounded canopy of glossy, lance-shaped leaves that change to a vivid yellow in the fall.

The tiny, yellow-green catkins that the yellow willow produces in the spring draw a wide range of pollinators. Its strong root system and quick growth rate assist in supporting the soil, while its colorful stems add year-round interest.

Crack Willow, also referred to as the Salix fragilis, is a huge, rapidly growing deciduous tree that can grow as high as 25 meters. It grows best in riparian environments along to rivers and streams and is native to western Asia and Europe.

What makes it unique is that it can break easily in the event of wind, ice, or snow. Its name, brittle, refers to this characteristic, which leads to easily breaking branches that allow the tree to spread through water.

Crack willow provides dappled shade with a somewhat dense canopy of light green leaves with paler undersides. Salix fragilis is a common choice for decorative plantings and is prized for its ability to support riverbanks, despite the possibility of structural damage from falling limbs.

Salix herbacea, commonly referred to as the least willow or dwarf willow, is distinguished by its small size. Known as the tiniest woody plant on Earth, this creeping shrub seldom grows taller than 6 cm.

Strengthened by hard arctic and alpine conditions, it spreads widely by low mats formed by underground stems. Salix herbacea, despite its small stature, shares many traits with its willow cousins.

Its drooping branches are adorned with round, glossy green leaves, and in the spring or early summer, it produces little, distinct plants bearing male or female catkins. This hardy willow is a perfect example of an amazing plant that can survive in harsh environments.

Native to North America, Salix interior is a common riparian shrub or small tree that is also known as the sandbar willow. Growing to a height of three to six meters, it thrives in sandy soils near rivers, streams, and beaches.

It is a prolific colonizer that forms dense thickets that maintain riverbanks and offer important habitat through suckering roots. Its thin branches are covered with linear, lance-shaped leaves with finely toothed margins.

Despite being dioecious, meaning that each sex has a separate male and female plant, both sexes produce little catkins in the spring. The sandbar willow, which is acclimated to regular floods, is an essential ecological component of riparian ecosystems.

Native to northern wetlands in Canada and the north-central and northeastern United States, the balsam willow is a deciduous shrub or small tree that usually grows to a height of three to five meters, however, it occasionally exceeds fifteen meters.

The lustrous, fragrant leaves of the balsam willow give off a perfume reminiscent of balsam when crushed. These leaves are hairless, frequently have a heart-shaped base, and are green above with noticeable veins below.

Bright red twigs in the winter help to set this willow species apart. Salix pyrifolia is a great addition to wetland restoration projects and provides year-round visual appeal in landscapes since it thrives in moist settings.