Photo of Salix arenaria form by Jerzy Opioła

Photo by Jerzy Opioła

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Salix arenaria

Also Known As

  • Salix repens 'Nitida'
  • Salix repens var. argentea
  • Argentea Creeping Willow
  • Silver Willow

Plant type

shrub, groundcover

size

  • H: 3'
  • W: 6'

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

Salix arenaria plant details

Salix arenaria is a broadleaf deciduous groundcover shrub with blue foliage. In spring silver flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Salix arenaria

Plant type: groundcover shrub
Plant family: salicaceae
Foliage: deciduous blue
Mature size: 6 FT wide, 3 FT tall
Flowers: silver blooms in spring
Uses: columnar, container plant, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Salix arenaria

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

?A very ornamental and hardy willow with bright-golden male catkins along bare stems and, later with beautiful silky-silver leaves.? (Newsholme); handsome much of the year, this small (to 3') creeping shrub is also easy to grow! S/M-W
A fine, silver-leaved form of the shrub willow, upright then arching and spreading to an eventual 3 x 6 ft. Good as a groundcover with deciduous, gray-green leaves, lighter beneath, on reddish branchlets, and in spring, gray, male catkins. Prefers moisture retentive soils with good drainage in sun or part shade. A good groundcover, perfect for trailing over walls or a rock garden. Tolerates coastal conditions. Frost hardy in USDA zone 5.
A 3’-4’ shrubby willow with pretty silver gray small leaves. Can be pruned hard to make it bush out.

Gardening facts about Salix arenaria plant

How to Grow Salix arenaria

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • seaside / salt tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • silver
  • Wildlife

    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

See other plant types of Salix for your garden

aka Salix alba 'Chermesina', Coral Bark Willow, Redstem Willow, White Willow

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 15'-20'

Width: 5'-15'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Salix alba 'Britzensis' by plant lust
View Plant

aka Salix alba 'Argentea', Salix var. alba 'Sericea', Siberian White, Silver Leaved Willow, Silver Willow, White Willow, WILLOW

Plant Type

Tree

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 15'-60'

Width: 15'-60'

  • sun - dappled shade
  • standing water - drought tolerant
Photo of Salix alba 'Sericea' form by Secret Garden Growers
View Plant

More Options

aka Salix boydii, Salix x boydii, Willow

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 8"-15"

Width: 12"-24"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Salix 'Boydii' foliage by Karl Gercens III
View Plant

More Options

aka Chinese Willow

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 8'-10'

Width: 8'-10'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture
Photo of Salix fargesii foliage by plant lust
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More Options

aka Swiss Willow

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 2'-5'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun
  • even moisture
Photo of Salix helvetica foliage by plant lust
View Plant
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