Sageleaf Willow

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8 - 12 Feet

Mature Spread

8-10+ Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 7

The Sageleaf Willow, or Salix candida, is a fast-growing spring bloomer with unique, textured foliage. White and green catkin flowers have a fuzzy appearance and are offset by the thick, narrow leaves with rounded ends. The foliage is a grayish-green hue and has a felted appearance. The springtime flowers add texture and visual interest, but the foliage is the bigger draw and will continue to provide color through fall.

Feature the Sageleaf Willow in a mixed bed or create a unique hedge. This perennial is native to wetlands in North America, so it is a good choice to grow along a pond, riverbank, or a naturally damp area. This shrub thrives in cool temperatures and grows as a perennial in zones 3 through 7. The flowers are pollinator friendly and enjoyed by bees. The silvery foliage is deer resistant.

Sageleaf Willow Care

Grow the Sageleaf Willow in full to partial sun. This shrub tolerates wet conditions but not standing water, so ensure the planting site has drainage. Plants grown in damp conditions will not need additional water. Plan to water shrubs in dry conditions when the top layer of the soil is dry. Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring to encourage new growth.

Remove dead or damaged growth as necessary, but shape the plant after the flowers fade. Remove crossed branches or dense growth in the winter when the plant is dormant.

Sageleaf Willow Spacing

The Sageleaf Willow is a sizable shrub that stands 8 to 12 feet tall and wide. Create a hedge or continuous planting by spacing shrubs 4 to 6 feet apart.