Salix daphnoides
A European member of the Salicaceae growing as a large shrub or small tree to 6–12 m, with a rounded crown, red-brown twigs and oblong leaves, native to central Europe and alpine regions, and used for dune stabilization and ornamental plantings.
Common Names
Violet Willow, Daphne Willow, European Violet Willow, Violets, French Purple, Reif-Weide
Summary
Violet Willow is a dioecious European native that grows as a tall shrub or small tree, typically 4–12 m tall with a 4–8 m spread, often multi-stemmed with a rounded crown. Leaves are oblong to lance-shaped, up to 4 in long, dark green above with a glaucous underside; catkins are grayish-white, about 1 in long, appearing before the leaves in late winter to early spring, while stems turn purple-violet from autumn to mid-winter.
Grows best in full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soils; hardy in USDA zones 4–7; commonly used for erosion control, soil stabilization, screens or windbreaks, and ornamental plantings, with catkins attracting pollinators and providing nectar and pollen for bees; propagation by softwood or hardwood cuttings.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
20-39 ft
Spread
13-26 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-7
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist or wet, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Moist but well-drained soil
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Violet
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Dark green above; glaucous below.
Fall Foliage Color
Purple-violet, Yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Spring
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, Attracts other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Vill.
- Publication
- Prosp. Hist. Pl. Dauphiné : 51 (1779)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Malpighiales
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Genus
- Salix
Synonyms
Salix pomeranica Salix pruinosa Salix pulchra Salix bigemmis Salix violacea Salix praecox