Habitat

• native to Europe, northern Africa to central Asia and Japan
• zone 3

Habit and Form

• a deciduous, large shrub
• 8' to 10' tall
• rounded, dense shape
• shrub composed of thin branches
• fast growth rate
• fine texture

Summer Foliage

• alternate (occasionally opposite) leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous leaves
• oblanceolate leaves
• leaf tips are serrated
• leaves are dark blue-green
• glaucous beneath
• leaves are 2" to 4" long

Autumn Foliage

• leaves turn purplish black
• not ornamentally important

Flowers

• attractive male flowers

Fruit

• not ornamentally important

Bark

• purplish stem color on upperside of stem
• green stem color on underside of stem
• buds are small, appressed, purplish
• stems are very thin
• stems turn a light gray when mature

Culture

• fast growing
• easily transplanted form containers are B&B
• prefers moist soil
• prefers to grow along water sources
• full sun
• pH adaptable

Landscape Use

• good tree for wet sites
• for color
• for fine texture
• for flowers
• stabilize stream banks
• basket weaving

Liabilities

• numerous insect and disease problems
• suckers
• short-lived

ID Features

• purple stems
• alternate or opposite leaf arrangement
• linear leaves with serrated leaf tips
• fine texture

Propagation

• by cuttings
• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Gracilis' - This plant grows larger than 'Nana', but features similar blue-green leaves. It is a spreading plant that grows 6' tall and wider, with slender twigs.

'Nana' - Notable both for its striking blue-green leaves and more compact habit, this plant usually fails to grow taller than 6'.

'Pendula' - A form with spreading, slightly pendant branches, this plant is often grafted on a standard to form an unusual small tree.

'Streamco' - This USDA selection is very vigorous with sucker production and self-layering. Therefore, it is very effective at bank stabilization. It grows to at least 12' tall and wide.