‘Blackskin’ Myrsine-Leaf Willow

bare-root plants

Salix myrsinifolia

6-10' x 4-8' Dark red-brown stems are highly ornamental and add unusual contrast in the landscape and in winter bouquets. Straight stems without many side shoots make this a choice option for basketweavers and also live willow fences.

Glossy dark green ovate leaves turn yellow in fall. Our source for cuttings is from known female plants, so the catkins will be a bit smaller and won’t produce pollen. Plant as a specimen or multiples in a hedge. Coppice to maintain first-years shoots, which is where the deep color’s at!

Native to Siberia and Europe; may be naturalized in Ontario where it was introduced. Z4. Limited supply—order early!

NEW!

ships in spring

7612 ‘Blackskin’ Myrsine-Leaf Willow

A: 1 ea

$20.00

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered on or before February 20 will ship from March through early May, starting with warmer areas and finishing in colder areas.

Orders placed after February 20 will ship from late April through early-to-mid May.

Additional Information

Small Trees and Shrubs

As Green’s Nursery catalog from 1904 explains, “There are many trees that by pruning can be made to resemble shrubs, and many shrubs that by different pruning may be made to produce medium-sized trees.”

Willows Salix spp.

The genus Salix comprises hundreds of different species of plants most commonly called willows but sometimes called Osier or Sallow. Willows grow all over the world. Some, like the weeping willow, are towering specimens. Others are short scrubby bushes; willows growing in the arctic can be 100 years old but only 2' tall! Uses include ornamental landscaping, shade, basketmaking, erosion control, timber, fuel and medicine. All parts, especially the bark, contain salicin, used for relief of pain and fever for hundreds, or even thousands, of years. Aspirin is a synthetic analog of salicin. Willows feed local wildlife, insects and birds. We plant them near the orchard to provide early season forage for our native pollinators. All prefer sun and loamy wet soils, but are adaptable, easily transplanted and fast growing.