Purpleosier Alaska Blue Willow

Purple willow, also called purpleosier or Alaska blue willow, is a relatively small, deciduous shrub reaching 8 feet tall native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa. It has slender, purplish twigs and narrow, linear leaves that are often opposite or in whorls. The catkins appear before leaf-out in early spring with yellow male flowers.

Hardy to USDA zone 3a-8b, this willow tolerates wet places in lowland areas and prefers neutral to alkaline soils with high moisture. It is fast-growing, resprouting readily after cutting, and supports both coppicing and pollarding for foliage effect. The plant is documented to host multiple diseases and pests common to willows in temperate regions.