Description:

An unusual wide-spreading wetland shrub; particularly interesting in winter when the bare stems can be seen to full effect; yellow-green catkins, crowned in scarlet in spring; a spreading shrub that needs regular pruning to look its best

Ornamental Features

Del Norte Willow features unusual chartreuse catkins with scarlet overtones along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has grayish green deciduous foliage. The fuzzy oval leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The smooth dark brown bark and burgundy branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Del Norte Willow is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Insects
• Disease

Del Norte Willow is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Del Norte Willow will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 25 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.