Salix lasiandra

Common Names

Pacific Willow, Yellow Willow, Red Willow, Black Willow, Whiplash Willow, Willow, Golden Willow, Caudate Willow, Western Black Willow, Waxy Willow, Western Shining Willow

Summary

Salix lasiandra, commonly known as Pacific willow, is a native western North American deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows 15–45 feet tall. It features long, thin, shiny leaves 5–10 cm long with finely toothed margins, thick hairless catkins about 6–8 mm long, and a furrowed bark with broad flat, scaly plates. Fast-growing but short-lived, it occupies damp soils along riverbanks, floodplains, lakeshores, and wet meadows in sunny positions along major rivers, and often forms a suckering habit that aids erosion control and wildlife habitat.

For cultivation, Salix lasiandra prefers full sun to part shade and moist to wet soils, tolerating seasonal flooding. Propagation is straightforward via seed (germination within 12–24 hours on a moist seedbed; viability only a few days) or hardwood cuttings (7–10 inches) that root readily (90–100%) without rooting hormones. Uses include bank stabilization, erosion control, restoration projects, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat; its spreading habit makes yard planting not recommended unless ample space is provided.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-45 feet

Spread

3-10 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

All soil pH levels (acidic to alkaline and neutral)

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

0.9–1.2 m per year

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons — Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Divisions

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies