Salix lasiolepis

Common Names

Arroyo Willow, Bigelow's Willow, Pacific Willow, Tracy Willow, Willow

Summary

Arroyo willow is a native shrub or small tree of western North America, including California, that occurs in riparian zones such as streams, marshes, meadows, and springs. It is fast-growing and typically multi-stemmed, forming thickets up to 10–35 ft tall and 10–25 ft wide, with lanceolate leaves that have a glaucous underside and unisexual catkins that appear in spring; male catkins are yellow and female catkins green, with wind-dispersed seeds. It supports wildlife and serves in erosion control and habitat restoration along waterways, often forming dense stands suitable for stabilizing banks.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soils, tolerating wet, ill-drained sites and regular moisture. It is valued for erosion control, stream-bank stabilization, habitat restoration, and wetlands landscaping. Propagation is easily achieved from cuttings, while seeds have very short viability; coppicing for poles or rope is practiced, and stems are used for basketry.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-30 feet

Spread

15-25 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial sun

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green above; glaucous green below

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast, 36-36 in/year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Stem fragmentation

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds are attracted.