Willow species options

Hello,

Our plot is zone 6B northeast Kentucky.  I’m interested in planting some willow in spots around our farm that are overly wet in locations through the year and I have some questions.

1) what are some species that would do well in our zone?

2) do you have any suggestions on where would be the best place to get willows either via cutting or potted plant?

Thanks in advance

Fellow Kentuckian!


1) what are some species that would do well in our zone?

First suggestion is Narrowleaf Willow - also known as Coyote willow, dusky willow, or gray willow. Salix exigua. It's kinda shrubby, great for making poles or weaving, and amazing drought and flood tolerance. Unfortunately it's considered endangered or threatened in some parts of the eastern USA, so you'll likely have to look westward for a seller....but getting a bigger population here would probably be beneficial.

Second suggestion is Black Willow. It's delighted to live in wet-feet conditions, and has adaptations to thrive in regular floods and poorly draining areas. It's also a little more drought-resistant than many willows. The growth will be stunted during a drought, but it's less likely to die completely. Native to kentucky.

My next suggestion would be the American Pussy Willow - Salix discolor. Also native to Kentucky, does well in moisture-heavy soils, loves full-sun but tolerates some shade, dislikes dry conditions, but probably won't die from it. Attracts pollinators like crazy, and is a caterpillar host to native butterflies.  American Pussy willow also tends to grow a bit slower in hot weather - it prefers zone 5 and 4, but will do fine in zone 6 and 7, provided there's enough water.
(Not to be confused with Goat Willow, Salix caprea, which is also often called 'pussy willow' but is native to Asia and Europe. )

Yellow Willow is also a native willow that should do well in kentucky, but unfortunately I don't know much about it.


I would NOT advise weeping willow or desert willow.
Weeping willows really need to be snugged up against an actual body of water to thrive - they need SO MUCH water. And desert willow will die if the soil is heavy & wet for too long.
Feltleaf willow, Bebb's willow, and Peachleaf willow are best left to the northern climates, like alaska and canada.


2) do you have any suggestions on where would be the best place to get willows either via cutting or potted plant?

I do not have any suggestions for specific places to buy. Good luck though!

Toko Aakster wrote:Fellow Kentuckian!


1) what are some species that would do well in our zone?

First suggestion is Narrowleaf Willow - also known as Coyote willow, dusky willow, or gray willow. Salix exigua. It's kinda shrubby, great for making poles or weaving, and amazing drought and flood tolerance. Unfortunately it's considered endangered or threatened in some parts of the eastern USA, so you'll likely have to look westward for a seller....but getting a bigger population here would probably be beneficial.

Second suggestion is Black Willow. It's delighted to live in wet-feet conditions, and has adaptations to thrive in regular floods and poorly draining areas. It's also a little more drought-resistant than many willows. The growth will be stunted during a drought, but it's less likely to die completely. Native to kentucky.

My next suggestion would be the American Pussy Willow - Salix discolor. Also native to Kentucky, does well in moisture-heavy soils, loves full-sun but tolerates some shade, dislikes dry conditions, but probably won't die from it. Attracts pollinators like crazy, and is a caterpillar host to native butterflies.  American Pussy willow also tends to grow a bit slower in hot weather - it prefers zone 5 and 4, but will do fine in zone 6 and 7, provided there's enough water.
(Not to be confused with Goat Willow, Salix caprea, which is also often called 'pussy willow' but is native to Asia and Europe. )

Yellow Willow is also a native willow that should do well in kentucky, but unfortunately I don't know much about it.


I would NOT advise weeping willow or desert willow.
Weeping willows really need to be snugged up against an actual body of water to thrive - they need SO MUCH water. And desert willow will die if the soil is heavy & wet for too long.
Feltleaf willow, Bebb's willow, and Peachleaf willow are best left to the northern climates, like alaska and canada.


2) do you have any suggestions on where would be the best place to get willows either via cutting or potted plant?

I do not have any suggestions for specific places to buy. Good luck though!

This is great information thank you! What part of KY are you located?

Central KY

Travis Davis, are you still looking for willow cuttings?
 We have some black willow ones

I recommend that you go for a hike/drive, and observe willows already growing in your ecosystem, and then take cuttings of them for your place. They can root in a bucket of water, or a pot of sand kept moist.