Willow trees are easy to spot thanks to their graceful branches and narrow leaves. They belong to the Salix genus, which includes more than 400 types of trees and shrubs (Salicaceae (Willow and Poplar Family), n.d.). Willows usually grow in temperate and cold parts of the Northern Hemisphere, often near ponds, streams, and lakes where the soil stays moist.
Willows come in many forms, from small shrubs to tall trees that can reach 90 feet. Their long, narrow leaves and quick growth make them popular for living fences and for stopping soil erosion. However, their roots can be aggressive and may invade water or sewer lines, so plant them carefully.
If you want to add a willow to your yard or garden, it helps to know the different types. This guide covers twelve common willow trees and shrubs, pointing out what makes each one special and how they are best used.
1. Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
The weeping willow is probably the best-known willow, with its long branches that hang down to the ground. It looks especially beautiful near water, where you can see its reflection. This tree grows quickly, sometimes up to 10 feet a year, but its branches can break in strong winds. Weeping willows usually live about 30 years before needing to be replaced (Weeping Willow Tree (Salix babylonica): History, Characteristics, USDA Zones, Cultivation & Landscape Uses, 2024).
- Native Area: Northern China
- USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
- Height: 35 to 50 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
2. Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)
Pussy willow is loved by both florists and gardeners for its soft, fuzzy catkins that show up in early spring. You can grow it as a small tree with one trunk or as a bush with several stems. It works well in rain gardens and as a casual hedge. Unlike goat willow, Salix discolor usually grows more like a tree than a dense thicket.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
- Height: 2 to 25 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
3. Goat Willow (Salix caprea)
Goat willow, sometimes called pussy willow too, is grown for its puffy catkins. It usually grows as a bush with several stems and is good for hedges, screens, or filling wet spots. Unlike most willows, it does not grow easily from cuttings. If you want seeds, you need both a male and a female plant for pollination (Salix caprea (Goat Willow) – Practical Plants, n.d.).
- Native Area: Europe, Western and Central Asia
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
- Height: 12 to 30 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
4. Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
Corkscrew willow is named for its twisted branches, which look interesting even in winter after the leaves fall. These branches are often used in flower arrangements and bonsai. This willow grows as a tree, not a shrub, and is closely related to the weeping willow. Some popular types with curly branches are ‘Golden Curls’ and ‘Scarlet Curls’ (Salix babylonica ‘Scarlet Curls’ (Hankow Willow, Pekin Willow, Scarlet Curls Willow), 2025).
- Native Area: Northeastern China
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
- Height: 20 to 50 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
5. Dappled Willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’)
This eye-catching shrub is known for its leaves, which start out pink, green, and white. The pink is brightest on new growth, then fades to green and white. In winter, the branches turn bright red, bringing color to the garden when most plants are bare. Dappled willow works well in shrub borders or as a feature in a rain garden.
- Native Area: Russia, Japan, Korea, northeastern China
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
- Height: 4 to 6 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
6. White Willow (Salix alba)
White willow is a big, fast-growing tree named for the silvery-white color under its leaves. It grows very tall and needs lots of space. Because it is so large and its wood is not very strong, it is not the best choice for most home gardens, but it can fill wet, low areas on bigger properties. The ‘Tristis’ variety is often sold as golden weeping willow, and its flexible branches are used for basket weaving (Salix alba ‘Vitellina-Tristis’, n.d.).
- Native Area: Europe, Western and Central Asia
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
- Height: 50 to 100 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
7. Bebb Willow (Salix bebbiana)
Bebb willow grows in wetlands in northern North America and is usually a shrub or small tree with many stems. It forms thick patches along streams and bogs and is common in its native areas. Its wood, called diamond willow, is good for carving, but the plant is not often used in landscaping because it does not live long and can get pests (Salix spp. Weeping Willow Fact Sheet ST-576, 2025). Once established, it can handle dry conditions well.
- Native Area: Northern North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
- Height: 10 to 30 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to shade
8. Narrowleaf Willow (Salix exigua)
Also known as coyote willow, this shrubby species is often used to create flexible poles and building materials for rustic furniture. It has a vast native range across North America and is remarkably tolerant of both drought and extended flooding. (Pitcher & McKnight, 1990) With attractive, furrowed gray bark, it is sometimes pruned into a small ornamental tree.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9
- Height: 6 to 15 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
9. Peach-Leaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides)
Peach-leaf willow gets its name because its leaves look like those of a peach tree. It grows quickly but does not live long, making it good for filling empty spots or stopping erosion. It usually does not grow well from cuttings and is started from seed. In nature, it often grows near cottonwood trees.
- Native Area: North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 5
- Height: 30 to 50 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
10. Purple Osier Willow (Salix purpurea)
Purple osier willow is easy to spot with its purple stems and blue-green leaves. It can handle some shade and dry soil better than most willows. This shrub works well for stopping erosion along streams and can be grown as a hedge. To keep it healthy and looking good, cut it back to the ground every three to five years. Its bark has salicin, which is like aspirin, and has been used for pain relief (Comparative Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Salix Cortex Extracts and Acetylsalicylic Acid in SARS-CoV-2 Peptide and LPS-Activated Human In Vitro Systems, 2021).
- Native Area: Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
- Height: 8 to 15 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
11. Scouler’s Willow (Salix scouleriana)
Scouler’s willow is a multi-stemmed tree that is more tolerant of dry conditions than most willows. Its wood is popular for carving, and it can be planted as a hedge to control erosion. However, it can grow invasively and overtake other plants in mixed forests. It is also an important food source for wildlife like deer and elk. (Coyote Willow, n.d.)
- Native Area: Western North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
- Height: 20 to 50 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
12. Yellow Willow (Salix lutea)
Yellow willow is a shrub that can grow big enough to look like a small tree. In western and central North America, it is a favorite food for moose, elk, and beavers (Salix drummondiana, n.d.). It grows easily from seeds or cuttings and is sometimes planted to help restore land after floods or erosion.
- Native Area: Western and Central North America
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9
- Height: Up to 20 feet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
Finding the Right Willow for You
From the iconic weeping willow to the colorful dappled willow shrub, the Salix genus offers a wide array of options for gardeners and landscapers. When choosing a willow, consider the mature size of the plant, its soil and sun requirements, and its growth habit. Most importantly, be mindful of their aggressive, water-seeking roots and plant them far away from underground pipes and foundations. With the right selection and placement, a willow can be a beautiful and functional addition to your landscape for years to come.
