What hardiness zones is Salix purpurea 'Nana' suitable for?

Salix purpurea 'Nana' is dwarf Arctic willow (dwarf purple willow), a compact mounding deciduous shrub growing 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide — the species type S. purpurea reaches 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m). Blue-green to gray-green narrow oblanceolate leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) closely spaced along thin flexible stems. The species name purpurea refers to the purplish-red tint on the young stems. Silvery catkins 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) on bare branches in March-April. Turns yellow in fall. In Salicaceae. The species is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The fine-textured mounding form and the blue-green foliage give a soft dense appearance. Responds well to annual hard pruning (coppicing to 6-12 inches / 15-30 cm in late winter) — this produces a compact mound of fresh blue-green growth. Without coppicing the shrub becomes open and leggy within 3-4 years — this tendency to become leggy is the primary maintenance limitation. Not drought-tolerant — requires consistently moist soil. The bark of S. purpurea contains salicin (a precursor to salicylic acid). The flexible stems are used in basket-weaving (wickerwork). Deer browse. Non-toxic. Zones 3-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Species native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. 'Nana' is a dwarf cultivar selection.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a low hedge, border edging, rain garden plant, and in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m). Fine-textured blue-green foliage. Responds well to annual coppicing. Flexible stems for basketry. Requires moist soil. Non-toxic. Zones 3-8.

How to Identify

Identified by a compact mounding form with blue-green to gray-green narrow closely spaced leaves on thin purplish-red flexible stems. The dwarf mounding habit (3-5 feet / 0.9-1.5 m) and the purplish-red young stems distinguish 'Nana' from the larger species type. The fine-textured foliage and the thin flexible stems distinguish S. purpurea from other willows. In Salicaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Early spring (March-April). Silvery catkins 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) on bare branches. 3 weeks. Bee-visited. Inconspicuous.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Silvery catkins 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) on bare branches in March-April; inconspicuous

Foliage Description

Blue-green to gray-green, narrow oblanceolate, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm), closely spaced along thin flexible stems; the species name purpurea refers to the purplish-red tint on the young stems (not the leaves); turns yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (4-12 hours). Consistently moist soil pH 5.5-8.0. Not drought-tolerant. Coppice (cut to 6-12 inches / 15-30 cm) annually in late winter for dense compact regrowth — without coppicing the shrub becomes open and leggy. Deer browse. Prune in late winter (February-March). Non-toxic. Zones 3-8.

Pruning

Coppice (cut all stems to 6-12 inches / 15-30 cm) annually in late winter (February-March) for a dense compact mound of fresh blue-green growth. Without annual coppicing, the shrub becomes open and leggy within 3-4 years. The flexible stems can be harvested for basket-weaving.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic