Willow

Wholesale Black Willow & Pussy Willow Shrubs

Cold Stream Farm is a wholesale supplier of black willow, pussy willow, and other deciduous shrubs. Based in Free Soil, Michigan, we grow and ship willow rooted cuttings with no minimum order required. Shipping throughout the United States and Canada, our team is available if you would like to contact us for assistance with your next order.

Our inventory consists of:

• Black Willow (Salix nigra)
• Corkscrew Willow (Salix Matsudana ‘Tortuosa’) Shrubs & Trees
• French Pussy Willow (Salix Caprea)
• Hybrid Willow
• Sandbar Willow (Salix interior)
• Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)
• Stream Willow (Salix purpurea)
• And Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

A Background on Willow Shrubs

Willow plants belong to the Salix genus of deciduous species large and small. The word “Salix” has been used to describe trees in this group since the Roman era, with etymology likely deriving from the Celtic language. There are about 400 species of Willow found around the world.

Most people are familiar with the “Weeping” Willow (Salix × sepulcralis) which is an iconic species of tree often seen overhanging ponds or streambeds. The plants are characterized by having large and fibrous roots that support long reaches of decorated limbs.

Culturally, Willows have played an important role in global religion, medicine, manufacturing and more. The plant is used largely as a symbol in literature, just as much as its materials are used for food, energy (biofuels), and other practical purposes.

What to Know Before You Purchase Black Willows

Cold Stream Farm is a proud retail and wholesale supplier of Black Willow (Salix nigra), which is also known as “Swamp Willow.” Black Willows are native to North America, primarily in the eastern United States with some growth in Mexico, Canada, and west of the Continental Divide.

Size, Shape, and Appearance

A mature Black Willow plant has a thick trunk with many slender branch shoots. The plants have enormous potential with the chance to grow up to over 100 feet high in ideal conditions. In the swamp, it is more likely that a Black Willow plant will reach about 50 feet in height with an equal or greater spread.

For most of the year, a black willow has shiny, bright green leaves until they turn lemon-yellow in the fall. In the spring, the tree is populated by small yellow catskins of flowers.

Black Willows: Ideal Growing Conditions

Black willows prefer wet conditions, so they are typically planted next to a stream, within a swamp, or on a sandbar. These plants grow very quickly and can achieve maximum growth with consistent maintenance. Ideally, Black Willows are placed in full sun conditions, however, it is they are somewhat tolerant of shade.

Wildlife and Black Willows

Many small wildlife species such as chipmunks, rodents, and rabbits use Black Willow plants for both food and shelter. The flowers and fruits are also popular among the birds and the bees, with a history of specifically attracting woodpeckers.

Uses for Black Willow Plants

The roots of a black willow have many uses from basket weaving to medicinal purposes. Native American cultures used bits of Black Willow to aid headaches, coughs, fevers, and even rheumatic disorders. The Black Willow plant contains a natural chemical compound that is like the one found in modern aspirin.

The strong, lightweight bark of Black Willow trees has also made the plant useful for the construction of furniture, shipping containers, and even prosthetic limbs like wood hands. Environmentally, these same features make it great for restoration and stabilization.

What to Know Before you Purchase Pussy Willows

Second only to Black Willows, Pussy Willows (Salix discolor) are a very popular plant species native to the United States and Canada. Pussy Willows, also called Glaucous Willows, are weak-wooded shrubs that can grow up to about 20 feet tall. The plant is easily recognizable with its silver-white bud-like flowers appearing in the early spring before the leaves regrow.

Pussy Willows: Ideal Growing Conditions

Like most willows, Pussy Willows prefer full sun and moist conditions. Pussy Willows are fast growing and thrive best in USDA zones 4-8.

Wildlife Interaction and Uses for Pussy Willows

Pussy Willows are very popular for hosting larva, with many species of moths and butterflies depending on the plant to reproduce and grow. The flowers also provide pollen for bees.

Humans have used a chemical found in Pussy Willow bark as a painkiller. The silver blooms are also popular as a decoration, either left on the branch and placed on a table or as part of a cut flower arrangement.

Purchase Your Wholesale Willow From Cold Stream Farm.

From our farm in Michigan to your property, Cold Stream Farm provides Willow plants at no minimum order. We sell rooted cuttings of Black Willow, Pussy Willow, and other Willow plants at various lengths and life-stage. Please do not hesitate to contact us today if you have any questions about your shipment.