SALIX. Willow. Nearly worldwide, in temperate regions and higher mountains. It may be futile, given the current craze for “color”, but I cannot resist the temptation to try offering some of our smaller native willows. They offer unusual seasonal interest, with their soft catkins on bare stems in early spring, their lush summer foliage, bright fall shades and—in some cases–colorful winter stems. Here are two of the best of the natives, in my view. One of them is among the best behaved of all willows; the other will need some restraint. They make interesting specimen shrubs and can be easily shaped by pruning. Sun, most soils, regular watering. They should be hardy to around 0^oF.

breweri. Brewer’s willow. This is a sturdy, well branched shrub found along creeks and seeps in barren serpentine soils, though adaptable to ordinary garden conditions. The selected plants grow about 6' high in the wild, 8' or more in cultivation. They have grey-brown bark, covered with velvety hairs in new growth, and broadly oval leaves up to 5" long, green above and felted with grey hairs beneath. Fall color is a bright golden yellow.

exigua. Narrow-leaved willow. Streamside thickets of this species provide some striking sights along the foot of the eastern Sierra. The trunks are upright, rising 8-20'. They are dressed with sprays of silvery grey, narrow leaves. These turn bright yellow before dropping in late fall. Where space is limited, it may be wise to contain the plant within a barrier as one would do for the running bamboos. However, it is worth the trouble.