CODE NAME
ACUTI S. acutifolia (Sharp-leaf Willow)
winter color, cut stems, showy silver female flowers, yellow fall color
ACUBS S. acutifolia ‘Blue Streak’ (Sharp-leaf Willow)
winter color, cut stems, showy silver male flowers, yellow fall color
ALBA S. alba (White Willow)
a large imposing tree, coarse basketry, living structures
ALBCA S. alba var. caerulea (Cricket Bat Willow)
large bluish-leaved tree, rich green stems, used to make cricket bats!
ALBSE S. alba var. sericea (Silver Willow)
gray summer foliage, plant supporting twigs
ALBSI S. alba ‘Silver Column’ (Upright Silver Willow)
silver-gray foliage, upright habit
ALBSTO S. alba 'St Oedenrode' (Upright White Willow)
the narrowest upright Willow we've encountered
AMERI S. 'Americana' (eriocephala x petiolaris) Native
a legendary basketry variety with red stems when dried, this is the "true" 'Americana'
AMYGD S. amygdaloides (Peach Leaf Willow) Native
Native species, exceptionally elegant foliage
AQUGG S. 'Aquatica Gigantea Germany' (Hybrid Willow)
the female selection of the 'Korso' Willow with the same qualities
AQUGK S. 'Aquatica Gigantea Korso’ (Korso Willow)
large showy male pussy willows, vigorous, great for large structures and biofuels
AURVIM S. aurita x viminalis (Hybrid European Willow)
often found in Europe wherever these two species are growing together
a vigorous, upright growing willow with ling green female flowers
BABYO S. babylonica 'Oberli' (Oberli Weeping Willow) The hardiest selection of this species
ever offered in North America. From Nepal. N/A 2020/21
BABTO S. babylonica f. Tortuosa (Dragons-claw Willow)
the original curly willow with dark stems and branches
BABDS S. babylonica f. Tortuosa ‘Dart's Snake’ (Snake Willow)
jade-green curly stems for cutting for vases and outdoor containers.
BABNA S. babylonica f. Umbraculifera 'Navajo' (Globe Willow)
makes a great specimen plant and a wonderful tree to picnic under.
BALFO S. x balfourii (Balfour Willow)
a really choice ornamental shrub with abundant flowers and silver gray leaves.
BANKER S. 'Bankers' (myricoides x eriocephala?) Native
a densely growing selection of native willows, with bright green foliage.
BEBBI S. bebbiana (Bebb’s, Diamond or Beaked Willow) Native N/A 2020/21
grows in wet soils, handsome ornamental, basketry,
native to New England and most of Northern USA, Southern Canada
CALLI S. x calliantha (Beautiful Willow) purpurea x daphnoides
living structures, basketry
CALOD S. x calodendron (caprea x cinerea ssp. oleifolia x viminalis)
a female tribrid that is very vigorous with rich, dark green foliage; biofuel
CANDI S. candida (Sageleaf Willow) Native
rock gardens, containers, mixed ornamental borders, male selection with pink catkins
CANGN S. candida 'George Newman' (Sageleaf Willow) Native
an outstanding selection with almost white furry leaves, female selection
CAPRE S. caprea (Pussy Willow or Goat Willow)
cut stems for forcing, ornamental shrub
CAPLI S. caprea ‘Lemoine’s Improved’ (Lemoines Pussy Willow)
a selection with abundant catkins on vertical stems
CAPOG S. caprea ‘Ogon’ (Gold-leaf Pussy Willow) N/A 2020/21
bright yellow leaves, cut stems, excellent small tree
CAPPE S. caprea ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Goat Willow)
grows prostrate on the ground, showy catkins very early
CAPRO S. caprea ‘Rosea’ (Pink Pussy Willow)
pink flowered version of the European Goat Willow
CAPSEL S. caprea 'Smart Select' (Pussy Willow or Goat Willow)
a selection with many more flowers per stem, great for cut stem production
CAPCIN S. 'S365' SHOWTIME (caprea x cinerea?) (Hybrid Pussy Willow)
a hybrid with an exuberance of showy male flowers, great for cut stems!
CAROL S. caroliniana (Carolina Willow) Native
an elegant native willow, with arching branches and showy yellow male flowers
S . chaenomeloides (Giant Pussy Willow) A botanical detective story! NAME CHANGE!
CINER S. cinerea (Gray Willow)
smothered in catkins in late winter, striking gray trunk and branches
CORDA S. cordata (Heartleaf Willow) Native
a good, slow-growing garden shrub, native to New England
DAPCO S. daphnoides ‘Continental Purple’ (Violet Willow)
living structures, basketry
DAPOU S. daphnoides ‘Ovaro Udine' (Violet Willow)
living structures, basketry, some of the longest rods I’ve grown
DAPOV S. daphnoides ‘Oxford Violet’
gray stems in winter, living structures, basketry
DAPRR S. daphnoides 'Red Rocket' (Red-stem Violet Willow)
a vigorous, upright growing selection with red stems that often have a white "bloom".
DASYC S. xdasyclados see S. gmelinii
DISCO S. discolor (American Pussy Willow) Native
early cut flowers, native to New England (wild collected on our property)
DISCUS S. discolor USDA Select Native
a selection of the native Pussy Willow with an extraordinary amount of flowers per stem
EHRAH S. x ehrhartiana (alba x pentandra)
large tree with handsome rich red stems; cut stems, living structures
ELAAN S. eleagnos f. angustifolia [aka ‘Rosmarinifolia’] (Rosemary Willow)
choice compact shrub with great autumn color
ERIOC S. eriocephala (Erect or Missouri Willow) Native
grows in wet/regular soils, cut stems, basketry, native to New England
ERIAM S. eriocephala 'American MacKay' Native
used extensively in basket making
ERIRU S. eriocephala ‘Russelliana' Native
living structures, basketry, ornamental: beautiful red new growth
ERIS25 S. eriocephala 'S25' VIGORELLA (Erect or Missouri Willow) Native
An extraordinarily vigorous hybrid of two selections of this native species
ERYTH S. x erythroflexuosa (Red Curly Willow) babylonica f. tortuosa X x pendulina f. salamonii
great long-lasting red cut stems, exceptionally ornamental tree, unique parentage
EUXBU S. euxina (Domed Crack Willow)
a superb specimen tree with a rounded top.
EXIGU S. exigua (Coyote Willow) Native N/A 2020/21
the Western US equivalent of S. interior, great for sandy soils and soil conservation.
FRAGI S. x fragilis (Crack Willow) (alba x euxina) formerly S. xrubens
a very vigorous willow, makes a fine specimen tree.
FRAVLA S. x fragilis ‘Laurina’ red stems N/A 2020/21
structures, coarse basketry, winter color
FRARA S. x fragilis ‘Raesfeld’ N/A 2020/21
winter color, coarse basketry
FRARC S. x fragilis 'River Cloud' (Cloud Willow)
a beautiful round-headed tree, a great specimen for dry or damp climates
FRVIT S. x fragilis f. Vitellina (Gold-stem Willow)
yellow winter color, rods for structures
The yellow stems of this selection produced all other willows with yellow stems
FRVAU S. x fragilis f. Vitellina 'Aurea' (Gold-leaf Willow)
Leaves of bright golden yellow, slower growing than most
FRVBA S. x fragilis f. Vitellina 'Basfordiana' yellow stems )
structures, winter gardens, coarse basketry, cut stems
FRVBR S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Britzensis’ (Red-stem Willow)
tall erect tree, reddest willow we offer, winter color
FRVBO S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Bouton Aigu’ red stems
structures, winter color, coarse basketry
FRVCA S. x fragilis f. Vitellina 'Cardinal' (Cardinal Willow)
this is a female selection similar to the male 'Britzensis', but darker red
FRVCH S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Chermesina’ (White Willow)
red winter color, coarse basketry, tall slender tree,
a good substitute for disease-prone Lombardy Poplar.
FRVFR S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Flanders Red’ red stems
winter color, coarse basketry
FRVFL S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Flame' red (Red Flame Willow)
orange red winter color, the shortest growing of its type
FRVFY S. x fragilis f. Vitellina 'Flame Yellow' (Yellow Flame Willow)
similar to the above, but with brilliant yellow stems
FRVFD S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Fransgeel Rood’ red stems
structures, coarse basketry, winter color
FRVGW S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Golden Willow’ yellow stems
structures, winter color, basketry
FRVHY S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Hutchinson's Yellow Bark’ yellow stems
structures, coarse basketry, winter color
FRVJF S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Jaune de Falaise’ yellow stems
structures, coarse basketry, winter color
FRVRO S. x fragilis f. Vitellina ‘Rouge Ardennais’ orange stems
structures, coarse basketry, winter color
GILGI S. gilgiana (Gilg’s Willow)
GLABRA S. glabra (Smooth Willow)
a compact shrubby willow with masses of male flowers in early spring
GMELI S. gmelinii (Hairy Willow) formerly S. xdasyclados
living structures, basketry, riverbank restoration
GRACI S. gracilistyla (Rose-gold Willow)
beautiful bicolor catkins, cut stems
GRAME S. gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’ (Black Pussy Willow)
unusual black catkins, cut stems, small-border shrub
GRAMT S. gracilistyla ‘Mt Aso’ (Pink Pussy Willow)
beautiful pink flowers, cut stems, ornamental shrub, basketry
a vigorous selection with long straight rods, for living structures or coarse basketry
HOLOS S. x holosericea (cinerea x viminalis)
very vigorous willow, suitable for large structures and biomass
HUMIL S. humilis (Prairie Willow) Native
stream-bank restoration, basketry, native to New England
HYBLG S. hybrid SV1 'Lady in Green'
(Hybrid Willow) (caprea x cinerea x viminalis?)
a hybrid developed for biofuel production, very vigorous grower
INTEG S. integra (Smooth Willow)
this is the parent of the showy cultivars below; makes a showy upright tree
INTHN S. integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ (Dappled Willow)
showy white dappled foliage, hedges, basketry, pollard as a standard
INTPE S. integra 'Pendula' (Weeping Smoothleaf Willow)
a great weeping plant and groundcover.
INTER S. interior (Sandbank Willow) Native
use only for bank restoration for streams, rivers and lakes. Bees love it.
spreads from shoots developing along the roots, makes great long slender rods
INTSF S. interior 'Filigree' (Filigree Sandbar Willow) Native
a very fine-leafed version I found by a path in Tennessee. It too spreads!
INTxER S. interior x eriocephala (Hybrid Native Willow)
this hybrid was created to plant on coal waste heaps to absorb poisonous chemicals
it's also a neat ornamental plant to boot! This is a non-spreading hybrid.
NB: the abbreviation f. is for forma, a scientific word for a "form"; important in taxonomy
the abbreviation x represents that this is a hybrid.
Why We Use Scientific Names?
In different parts of the country and different parts of the world common names for plants differ which causes confusion. Scientific or Latin names are standard wherever you go. Not all plants have common names, but they all have scientific names!
CODE NAME
IRROR S. irrorata (Blue-stem Willow) Native N/A 2020
showy powdery white winter stems, cut stems, basketry
IRRVB S. irrorata 'Violet Beauty' Native
violet stems turning white, red flower buds
KOREE S. koreensis (Korean Willow)
a handsome tree with lovely leaves and bark; basketry?
KORHA S. koreensis ‘Hakuro’ (Yellowleaf Korean Willow)
early pale yellow leaves, hedges, specimen plant
KORIY S. koriyanagi (Korean Willow)
clouds of gray catkins in late Winter, great for fine basketry
KORRU S. koriyanagi ‘Rubykins’ (Rubykins Willow)
slender cut stems, living structures, basketry
LICWH S. x ‘Licorice Whip’ N/A 2020/21
cut stems, small living structures, basketry
LUCID S. lucida (Shiny Willow) Native N/A 2020
glossy leaves, can grow in very wet places, living structures, basketry
MEYER S. x meyeriana (pentandra x fragilis) (Hybrid Bay or Laurel Willow)
a hybrid willow with very large, very shiny leaves, naturalized in N. America
MEYPL S. x meyeriana ‘Patent Lumley’ (Hybrid Bay Willow selection)
glossy leaves, a USDA selection of thus vigorous hybrid, living structures
MEYSL S. x meyeriana 'Silver Lake' (Prairie Reflection® Laurel Willow) Patented!
Developed at the North Dakota USDA office for hardiness and beauty
MIYAB S. miyabeana (Japanese Willow)
very vigorous grower--our fastest/tallest growing variety, bright green stems
living structures, biomass
MIYAS S. miyabeana Arnold Select (Arnold Arboretum) Japanese Willow
this vigorous male selection is unusual in that it has dark stems after coppicing
MIYSX64 S. miyabeana SX64 (Japanese Willow)
a very attractive large shrub in all seasons, colorful in winter,
showy male catkins in very early spring and attractive foliage all summer
MYRIC S. myricoides (Blue-leaf Willow, Bayberry Willow) Native
a native willow that makes a delightful specimen shrub
MYRICB S. myricoides 'Bronze Beauty' Native
a selection this native willow with bronze new growth
MYRGR S. myrsinifolia (Green Myrsine-leaf Willow)
a compact shrub with small, almost round leaves
MYRBL S. myrsinifolia ‘Blackskin’ (Blackskin Willow)
attributes: living structures, basketry, one of the blackest of all willows
NIGRA S. nigra (Black Willow) Native
one the largest North American willows, biomass, firewood, river-bank restoration.
NIPPO S. nipponica (Japanese Willow)
an exquisitely beautiful species with elegant leaves and white stems
PELLIT S. pellita (Satin Willow) Native
a vigorous growing shrub with long wide leaves that are silvery white underneath.
PENBL S. x pendulina f. pendulina 'Blanda' Thurlow or Green Weeping Willow
an all green weeping willow, with long elegant tresses down to the ground
PENE S. xpendulina f. Erythroflexuosa (Red Curly Willow)
great long-lasting red cut stems, exceptionally ornamental tree, unique parentage
PENCA S. xpendulina f. Erythroflexuosa ‘Caradoc’ (Yellow Curly Willow)
yellow-orange curly stems, upright specimen tree
PENGC S. xpendulina f. Erythroflexuosa 'Golden Curls' (Golden Curly Willow)
A weeping form of Curly Willow, great specimen, especially by water.
PENST S. xpendulina f. Erythroflexuosa 'Sunny Twist' (Sunny Twist Curly Willow)
honey-colored, upright curly willow hybridized at SUNY, Syracuse.
PENSS S. xpendulina f. erythroflexuosa ‘Swizzle Sticks’ (Curly Willow)
Dropped. Too disease prone in the Northeast!!
PESCH S. x pendulina f. salamonii ‘Chrysocoma’ (Golden Weeping Willow)
the most common golden weeping willow, basketry
PENSC S. x pendulina 'Prairie Cascade' Prairie Cascade Willow (pentandra X x pendulina )
Dropped. Too disease prone in the Northeast!!
PETIO S. petiolaris (Slender or Meadow Willow) Native
native willow that provides grazing for deer and beavers, rods for weaving
PIEROT S. pierotii (White Willow)
an ornamental tree from East Asia with whitish bark that flakes as it matures
PINKDE S. 'Pink Delight' ('Americana' x eleagnos v. angustifolia) (Hybrid Willow)
A new hybrid with characteristics of both parents; good for basketry
PURPUR S. purpurea (Purple Willow)
This is a male selection of the wild Purple Willow from Europe.
PU187 S. purpurea #187 (Purple Willow)
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
PURBL S. purpurea ‘Bleu’ (aka 'Purple Dicks')
living structures, fine basketry, the most beautiful purpurea variety of all!
PURDD S. purpurea ‘Dark Dicks’ (Purple Willow)
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
PURDM S. purpurea ‘Dicky Meadows’
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
PURFC S. purpurea 'Fish Creek' Patented!
The most vigorous purpurea ever developed; biofuels, structures.
PURGO S. purpurea 'Goldstones'
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry, bright green stems dried.
PURGR S. purpurea ‘Gracilis’ (‘Nana’) (Arctic or Dwarf Purple Willow)
attractive dwarf shrub, deer resistant, small structures, fine basketry
PURGD S. purpurea ‘Green Dicks’
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
PURHOL S. purpurea 'Holland' selected in New Zealand from plants from the Netherlands
another vigorous variety, developed for biofuel and soil erosion.
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
PURJA S. purpurea 'Jagiellonka'
this is a Polish selection known for its vigorous growth and long staright stems.
PURLAM S. purpurea 'Lambertiana'
Simply the best willow for restoring banks of rivers, streams and lakes.
The most pest and disease resistant Salix purpurea we grow.
PURLED S. purpurea 'Leicestershire Dicks'
A bushy selection with fine dark red twigs, exceptional when poking out of snow
PURLD S. purpurea 'Light Dicks'
Paler stems than the species in their second year. Great basketry willow.
PURMU S. purpurea ‘Multinervis’
deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry
PURNS S. purpurea ‘Nancy Saunders’
Very fine branches with red twigs, deer resistant, living structures, fine basketry.
deer resistant, small living structures, fine basketry
PURPT S. purpurea ‘Packing Twine’
perhaps the best willow for fine basketry, very slender rods, deer resistant
PURPE S. purpurea ‘Pendula’ (Weeping purple Willow)
deer resistant, one of the best small weeping trees
PURPD S. purpurea ‘Purple Dicks’ see S. purpurea 'Bleu'
PURSE S. purpurea var. sericea (Silky Purple Willow)
a compact growing shrub, makes a great hedge to keep deer out
stream-bank restoration, deer resistant, fine basketry
PURVR S. purpurea 'Vermont Red'
A selection from the USDA that we named for its dark red stems and young twigs
PUXKO S. purpurea x koriyanagi Patented!
East meets West in this vigorous, virtually pest free hybrid.
PUXMI S. purpurea x miyabeana 'Millbrook! Patented!
this superb hybrid has the vigour of S. miyabeana and the deer resistance of S. purpurea.
PYRIF S. pyrifolia (Balsam Willow) Native N/A 2020
a choice native willow with showy foliage and abundant flowers
RABFT S. 'Rabbit's Foot' (Rabbit's Foot Willow)
This selection of 'Winter Glory' has male catkins that look like Rabbit's Feet!
Found by Julia Kuzovkina at Klyn's Nursery in Ohio; Klyn's kindly shared cuttings!
REINI S. reinii Reins Willow
compact growing shrub, great for a small garden, rock garden in very lean soil.
REPAR S. repens 'Arenaria' (Silver Creeping Willow)
rock gardens, front of mixed borders, containers
RORID S. rorida (Pink Willow for the pink buds in Autumn)
a very ornamental selection with very long-lasting male flowers, yellow fall color
structures, coarse basketry
RBRHB S. x rubra ‘Harrisons B'
structures, fine basketry
SCHWE S. schwerinii (Schwerin's Willow)
one of the best for living structures, coarse basketry, biomass,
consistently produces very long rods.
SERICEA S. sericea (Silky Willow) Native
native willow, good grower in wet areas, upright grower
SERISS S. serissima (Autumn Willow) Native N/A 2020/21
a native willow with glossy leaves and female flowers that open in Autumn!
SMITH S. x smithiana (caprea x viminalis) Smith's Willow
living structures, coarse basketry, cut stems in late winter, biofuels
SUCHO S. suchowensis (Suchow Willow)
A great willow for living structures with longer slender rods.
TENUI S. tenuijulis (Narrow-catkin willow)
long slender rods, for small structures and probably great for basketry
THAGUE S. 'The Hague' (gracilistyla x caprea)
cut stems with large flowers, living structures, female clone
TRIBH S. triandra 'Black Hollander'
living structures, fine basketry, showy male flowers
TRIBM S. triandra ‘Black Maul’ (Almond Willow) N/A 2020
basketry, living structures
TRIBG S. triandra ‘Black Maul’ x ‘Grisette Noir’
living structures, fine basketry
TRINV S. triandra ‘Noir de Villaines' N/A 2020/21
living structures, fine basketry
TRIWH S. triandra ‘Whissender’
living structures, coarse basketry, abundant male flowers
UDENS S. udensis Uden Willow (Siberia) Forms an upright bush that is 6ft high in its 2nd year.
UDESE S. udensis ‘Sekka’ (Dragon-tail Willow)
cut stems for Ikebana flower arrangements, prolific flower producer.
VIMBA S. viminalis 'Bowhayes Strain A' (Osier Willow)
we finally have Osiers that grow well for us! Great for structures and fences.
VIMBM S. viminalis 'Bowhayes Strain male (Osier Willow)
This is a male selection of Strain A
VIMBOW S. viminalis 'Bowles Hybrid' (Hybrid Osier Willow)
this hybrid produces the heaviest, strongest rods of all our varieties
WINGL S. 'Winter Glory' (gracilistyla x caprea) (Giant Pussy Willow)
formerly erroneously called S. chaenomeloides
abundant male flowers, cut stems, living structures, coarse basketry, deer resistant,
probably the best all purpose willow we offer.
long straight rods, one of the best for living structures, brilliant green in winter
The Wonderful World of Willows
Vermont Willow Nursery
We have over 400 different Willows, many in short supply;
but, if you’re looking for something not on this list check out the following link: Unlisted Salix
We love to trade cuttings, so if you have a verified specimen of a
Willow not on our list please let us know.
We’re especially interested in obtaining Alpine, Arctic and Northwestern Willows!
For a cross reference to Willow Common Names click here: Common Names