Arctic Blue Willow 

Salix purpurea | Zones 3-7 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

This willow cultivar is a compact, rounded, deciduous shrub which typically grows to 5′ tall and features attractive purple stems. Often best grown as a 2-3′ tall, clipped shrub. Very narrow, blue-green leaves (to 4″ long). Dioecious. Grayish-white male and female flowering catkins (1 inch) bloom in early spring before the foliage. Slender and supple twigs can be used to make baskets.

Bebb's Willow 

Salix bebbiana | Zones 3-7 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Bebb’s Willow (Salix bebbiana) is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to North America, primarily found in the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada. It typically grows in moist, well-drained soils along riverbanks, wetlands, and forests. Bebb's Willow is often valued for its adaptability in wetland restoration projects and its role in stabilizing soil in riparian ecosystems. It also serves as a food source for wildlife.

Black Willow 

Salix nigra | Zones 4-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Black Willow is a fast-growing Wisconsin native tree found throughout the state but concentrated in the south, southwest, and south-central counties.  Like all willows, the black willow is a fast-growing tree.  

Flame Willow

Salix flame | Zones 3-6 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Flame Willow is a super hardy, dense branching shrubby willow great for windbreaks, wildlife borders, or for the back of the shrub border. It's primarily grown for its orange-red winter stem color, which creates wonderful winter interest. Green summer foliage turns yellow in fall.

Golden Willow

Salix alba | Zones 3-7 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

The Golden Willow is a tough shade tree with golden branches.  It’s widely adaptable to all soil types.   The narrow leaves turns golden in the fall.  It makes an excellent windbreak tree, but can be a rather messy tree.   It tends to drop branches  on a regular basis and has an aggressive root system.  So keep it away from homes, septics, and driveways.  Exceptionally fast growing.

Hybrid Willow

Salix matsudana / Salix alba Cross | Zones 4-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Willow hybrid trees grow long, upright branches with slim, narrow leaves that have light green tops that are paler green on the bottom. The trees grow at a fast rate of 6-10 feet per year, quickly reaching their maximum height of 50-75 feet tall. Their maximum spread is 20-30 feet.  This is probably the fastest growing tree you will ever see.  These are fully rooted trees – not just cuttings.

Laurel Leaf Willow

Salix flame | Zones 3-6 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Flame Willow is a super hardy, dense branching shrubby willow great for windbreaks, wildlife borders, or for the back of the shrub border. It's primarily grown for its orange-red winter stem color, which creates wonderful winter interest. Green summer foliage turns yellow in fall.

Peachleaf Willow

Salix pentandra | Zones 2-8 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

This willow is a small to medium sized tree.  It is often the first to leaf out in the Spring and the last to drop its leaves in fall.   Great tree for wildlife.  Used as food and cover for a wide variety of wetland wildlife.

Pussy Willow

Salix discolor | Zones 4-8 | Soil: Well-Drained 

Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is a species of willow native to North America, easily recognizable by its soft, silvery catkins that emerge in early spring. The catkins, which are actually clusters of tiny flowers, are covered in dense, fuzzy hairs, giving them a velvety texture. The plant typically grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 10 to 15 feet. It thrives in wetland areas, like riverbanks and marshes, and is often one of the first signs of spring. Pussy Willow is both ornamental and ecological, providing early-season nectar for pollinators and shelter for wildlife.

Sandbar Willow

Salix exigua | Zones 3-8 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Sandbar willow is a multi-stemmed medium-sized shrub with smooth gray bark. It is commonly found along shorelines, creek banks, and other wet sites.   A premier choice for erosion control.  Once planted, little to no care is required.  Deer love to browse on it.

Silky Willow 

Salix sericea | Zones 3-8 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Salix sericea is a large, deciduous shrub that thrives in moist to wet areas. Beautiful gray catkins with yellow tips bloom March through April before the leaves emerge, providing important early food for pollinators.

Weeping Willow (Green)

Salix babylonica | Zones 4-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Green Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) is a fast-growing, graceful tree known for its long, sweeping branches and attractive flowing form. It is an excellent choice for wet areas, ponds, stream banks, and lowland landscapes where its extensive root system can thrive. With rapid growth and a broad, arching canopy, Green Weeping Willow provides valuable shade, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. Its early spring catkins provide an important food source for pollinators, while the dense branches offer cover for birds and other wildlife.

Weeping Willow (Yellow)

Salix alba 'Tristis' | Zones 3-9 | Soil: Widely Adaptable 

Yellow Weeping Willow (Salix alba 'Tristis') is a fast-growing, graceful shade tree admired for its golden-yellow twigs, bright green foliage, and elegant weeping form. Its long, sweeping branches create a striking landscape specimen while providing excellent shade and wildlife habitat. This adaptable willow performs best in moist soils and is especially well suited for ponds, stream edges, and lowland areas. The dense branching structure offers cover for birds, while the young shoots provide a valuable browse source for deer and other wildlife.