Description
The willows are a diverse group of ancient plants. They grow very quickly from cuttings. There are huge willows and small willows. They are often very flexible. They tend to grow naturally in wetter locations near water.
Willows are a great plant for silvopasture because they regrow nutritious fodder very quickly and are resilient and medicinal. The leaves and bark are also used widely in herbalism, including as a whole plant version of aspirin (the bark of willows contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin aka acetylsalicylic acid).
Willows are often great for spring pollinators as well. Their flowers open up very early in spring creating nectar flows for insects before much else is available.
Miyabena – Japanese, large, fast growing biomass willow. Size of large shrub or small tree. Thick stems
Rubykins – Japanese, tight column like growth, thinner than Miyabena
Viminalis – excellent for pollinators in spring, can be thicket forming. Thicker stems.
Britenzis – German variety with beautiful red/orange stems and green/blue foliage. Great winter interest.
Curly – Curly leaves and stems!
Streamco – the ultimate stream erosion will. This is a purpurea willow so would be appropriate for some weaving as well.
Packing Twine – another purpurea willow, however these stems are so thin and flexible you can use them as a thick twine!
Bebbs – The diamond willow, green teardrop like foliage, thicket forming and great for erosion control
American Pussy Willow – this selected pussy willow has huge silvery male catkins, which develop to yellow as spring progresses and pollen is released. Great for cut stems.
Salix eriocephala – beautiful and quite fast growing! A thick shrub type.
