Salix eriocephala

Common Names

Missouri River Willow, Missouri Willow, Heart-Leaved Willow, Diamond Willow

Summary

Missouri River willow is a native, dioecious deciduous shrub or small tree with a rapid, multi-stemmed habit that can form clones by stem fragmentation; it grows in wetlands and along streams across eastern and central North America, featuring leaves with a cordate base that are 58–136 mm long and 9–36 mm wide, a glaucous abaxial surface, red-brown stems, and gray bark with catkins appearing in spring. Its growth and floral timing, along with the close leaf stipules and frequent clonal spread, give it a distinctive, vigorous presence in moist, riparian landscapes.

Cultivation favors open sun to partial shade with moist or wet, well-drained soils and is shade intolerant, tolerating strong winds but not maritime exposure; soil pH ranges from 4.0 to 7.0 and hardiness spans USDA zones 5–9 (down to about -20°C). Propagation occurs by seed (surface-sown when ripe, with short viability) and cuttings (current-year cuttings easy; coppicing possible annually or every two years for thick poles), with a cultivar 'Green USA' noted as windbreak tolerant. Uses include erosion control, soil stabilization, basketry, and shelterbelt plantings, with roots that help bind soil along streams.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8 inches to 20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

4.0-7.0, Mildly acidic to neutral soils.

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds