Species purple willow
yellow-green leaves and light-brown stems

purple willow

Salix purpurea 'Nana'

Also Known As - purple willow,purple osier,purple osier
Purple willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana') is an ornamental shrub native to Europe. It has an attractive purple-gray foliage and is drought-tolerant. The leaves are lance-shaped and their color decides its name. In spring, numerous yellow-brown catkins appear. The shrub is small and stays around 4-6 feet at maturity. It grows in full sun to partial shade across USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. Purple willow is easy to grow if planted in well-drained soil and requires very little maintenance. It is ideal for planting as hedges and borders in gardens or on patios.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Grayish-white Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Fruits:

green,red,yellow,purple,orange Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Purple willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana') requires regular watering to stay hydrated and healthy. The frequency and amount of water needed will depend on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions, but generally during the summer months it is best to water the plant every 7-10 days and provide enough water to moisten the soil down to a depth of about 8 inches. In the cold winter months, however, the plant may need far less water and should only be watered when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry.

sunlight

Purple willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana') plants thrive in full sun, meaning 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the summer. These plants prefer part shade or morning sun during the hottest parts of the day, particularly in southern regions. Avoid planting in areas that remain exposed to afternoon sun and intense heat. To ensure safe and healthy growth of Purple Willow plants, you should reduce the amount of direct sunlight during the hottest months.

pruning

Purple willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana') should be pruned between early spring and mid-summer. Pruning should be done in moderate amounts, taking off only the shoots that stick out too far or that look unsightly. This will help control the shape and growth of the plant while not stressing it out too much. In particular, take off any weak, dead, or diseased branches, and any branches that are too dense, too long, or growing in an undesirable direction or angle. Also, it is usually beneficial to regularly remove any fallen leaves or debris around the plant, which can cause rot if left untended.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Purple willow typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Salix purpurea 'Nana' is in June and July.

Hardiness Map