Salix sericea
Silky willow
Description
Source: leafsnapSalix sericea, commonly known as silky willow, is a shrub in the Salicaceae family that grows in swamps and along rivers in eastern United States and Canada. It is 2 to 4 m (6.6 to 13.1 ft) tall and has long, thin, purplish twigs. The leaves are 6–10 cm long, 7–8 mm wide, lanceolate, acuminate, serrulate, dark green and lightly hairy on top, and light green and densely covered with white silky hairs underneath. Mature leaves are glabrous. The petioles are 1 cm long. Catkins are sessile and usually bracteate. S. sericea blooms in May and fruits in June.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Silky willow is native to open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, which provide plenty of light. It does best in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adjusting well to different light levels.
🌡️ Temperature 5–32.2°C
Silky willow is highly adaptable to a variety of climates, tolerating both scorching summers and cold winters. Nevertheless, it has an ideal temperature range for growth. If temperatures climb too high, the plant is susceptible to heat and humidity stress, which can kill it. In areas where temperatures near the lower limit of its cold tolerance, taking insulation measures to protect the plant is important.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
Fertilize your Silky willow in early spring to encourage healthy growth. Regular fertilization improves overall health, producing vigorous growth, greater tolerance of harsh conditions, and enhanced resistance to pests and diseases. Keep a consistent fertilization schedule for your Silky willow to maintain foliage that is vibrant, richly colored, and lush.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Tree, Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Salix
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 4-8
- Mature Height
- 3.35 m
- Mature Spread
- 2.44 m
- Leaf Color
- Light Green, Silver
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Yellow
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
- Bloom Time
- Early spring, Mid spring
- Planting Time
- Spring
- Harvest Time
- Late spring, Early summer