Fuzzy flowers open March-May, before leaves emerge. The slowly spreading nature of this shrub results in a multi-stemmed plant that is wider than tall (usually around 4 ft). Unlike many other moisture-loving willows, this one prefers drier ground. Rabbits and deer eat twigs, leaves and shoots. Bees use the nectar to produce high quality honey. Dense thickets provide good wildlife cover. Host plant for larvae of the viceroy butterfly.
Yellow jacket and prairie willow flowers. Photo: Linda Ballard.