Salix purpurea 'Nana', dwarf Alaskan purple willow
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Deciduous Shrubs

Salix purpurea 'Nana'

dwarf Alaskan purple willow

Salicaceae

Europe, western Asia, North Africa (cultivar)

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m)
Width3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Salix purpurea 'Nana' (also sold as 'Gracilis') is a compact deciduous shrub reaching 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall with a spread of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m), developing a dense, rounded, fine-textured mound of slender, upright to arching stems. The species name 'purpurea' refers to the purplish young stems, visible in winter and early spring. Leaves are alternate to subopposite or nearly opposite (unusual for willows), simple, narrowly oblanceolate, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long and only 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) wide, blue-green to gray-green. The narrow leaves create an exceptionally fine texture that reads as a soft, billowing mass from a distance. Small silvery catkins appear in early spring before leaf emergence. Growth rate is moderate to fast at 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) per year. Unlike larger willows, 'Nana' has a well-behaved root system suitable for garden settings. Tolerates hard pruning and can be maintained as a formal or informal hedge, or sheared into topiary forms. Responds well to coppicing, which produces the most vivid purple winter stems. A Great Plant Picks recommendation for the Pacific Northwest.

Native Range

The species Salix purpurea is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Occurs along streams, in wet meadows, and in riparian zones. The cultivar 'Nana' is a compact garden selection.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, informal hedge, or in mixed borders where the fine texture provides contrast with coarser-leaved plants, spaced 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) apart. Effective as a low hedge along paths and driveways. Purple winter stems provide color in the dormant season. Excellent for rain gardens and bioswales due to moisture tolerance. Suitable for containers (minimum 10-gallon). Stems can be used in basket weaving (traditional use of S. purpurea). A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

How to Identify

Identified by compact, rounded, fine-textured form with dense slender stems, narrow blue-green to gray-green leaves arranged suboppositely (unusual for willows — most have alternate leaves), and purplish young stems in winter. Distinguished from other compact shrubs by the characteristic narrow willow leaves and subopposite leaf arrangement. Distinguished from larger willows by the compact 3-5 foot (0.9-1.5 m) size.

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
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Spring
Small silvery catkins appear in March to April on bare stems before leaf emergence, lasting 2-3 weeks. Catkins are modest but contribute to early spring interest. The primary ornamental features are the fine-textured foliage and purple winter stems.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Silvery (catkins)

Foliage Description

Blue-green to gray-green

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
loamclaysilt
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season. Established plants tolerate average garden moisture; unlike large willows, this cultivar does not require constantly wet soil, though it thrives in moist conditions. Plant in full sun for the densest growth and best purple stem color; tolerates part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Responds well to hard annual pruning in late winter, which promotes vigorous new growth with the most vivid purple stem color. Root system is well-behaved and suitable for garden settings near foundations and paths.

Pruning

Prune hard in late winter (February through March). For the most vivid purple winter stems: coppice (cut all stems to 4-6 inches / 10-15 cm from the ground) annually or every two years. For a formal hedge: shear to desired shape 2-3 times during the growing season. For a natural form: thin oldest stems at the base every 2-3 years and allow the rounded form to develop naturally. Tolerates any pruning regime.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic