Dwarf Willow 'Arctic Blue'

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$24.99
Title

Dwarf Blue Arctic Willow is a textural masterpiece, featuring slender, upright purple-toned stems clothed in elegant, fine-textured leaves of a unique powdery blue-grey. Unlike unruly wild willows, this dwarf variety maintains a perfectly neat, rounded "ball" shape that sways gracefully in the slightest breeze. Whether used as a shimmering low hedge or a cool-toned accent, its soft, misty appearance provides a refreshing contrast to broader-leaved garden plants, looking just as beautiful in a rain-kissed garden as it does in the bright summer sun.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

3–5' tall and wide

Zone:

3-7

Watering:

High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Fast

Light:

Full Sun/Part Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Dwarf Blue Arctic Willow, Arctic Blue Willow, Dwarf Purple Osier, Basket Willow

Scientific Name:

Salix purpurea 'Nana'

Type:

Ornamental Shrub / Wetland Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 3–5 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit: Compact, dense, and finely branched.
  • Form: Naturally rounded, billowy mound.
  • Growth Rate: Fast.
  • Longevity: 20–30 years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun (preferred) to part shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers rich, moist to wet, slightly acidic soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly tolerant of heavy clay, boggy areas, and poorly drained spots.
  • Watering: High; do not let the soil dry out.

Special Features:

Distinctive blue-grey foliage; deer and rabbit resistant; salt tolerant; fantastic winter stem colour.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Produces small, fuzzy grey catkins in early spring before the leaves emerge.
  • Fall Colour: Foliage may turn a subtle, pale yellow before dropping.
  • Bark: Striking violet-purple young stems provide excellent winter interest against the snow.

Garden Value:

Exceptional for erosion control on slopes or stream banks. Its tidy habit makes it perfect for low hedges, foundation plantings, and moisture-loving borders.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Early spring catkins provide a vital nectar source for emerging bees; dense habit offers excellent nesting cover for small birds.
  • Human Value: Stems are highly flexible and historically used for fine basket weaving; provides excellent privacy screening and soil stabilization.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Early spring or autumn.
  • Spacing: 3 feet apart for a dense hedge; 5 feet for individual specimens.
  • Location Tips: Avoid planting near septic lines or water pipes as roots are vigorous and water-seeking. Perfect for "problem" wet spots in the yard.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; best leaf colour occurs in full sun.
  • Moisture Requirements: High; thrives in consistently moist to wet areas.
  • Maintenance: Low to moderate; can be "stooled" (cut nearly to the ground) every few years in early spring to encourage the most vibrant purple stem colour.
  • Fertilization: Generally unnecessary in fertile soils; apply a balanced fertilizer in spring if growth is sluggish.

Tolerances:

Tolerates wet feet, flooding, clay soil, salt, and urban pollution.

Tips For Success:

Mulch heavily to retain moisture. If the plant becomes too large or "leggy," it handles heavy pruning extremely well and will bounce back quickly with fresh, colourful stems.

Fruit Profile