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Salix myrsinifolia 'Blackskin'

Myrsine-leaf Willow

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Salix myrsinifolia 'Blackskin' - This form of the Myrsine-leaf Willow develops especially dark black-purple winter stems just striking when set alongside other deciduous shrubs with differently colored, contrasting winter presence. Beautiful when set with red, yellow and orange brances 'Blackskin' could be especially and starkly effective set behind Rubus lasiostylus var. hupehensis. What about a criss-crossed living fence made up of different species of willows that offer fantastic winter stem colors? If you've got the time and like the work it could be amazing. In any incarnation mix it up... employ those extraordinary creative juices within you! Coppice every year or two for a greater number of blackened stems. Full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Established pot grown shrub from cutting.


Please scroll down to the Genus Overview for more information.


Height:

6-10 ft

Spread:

8 ft

Zone:

4 to 7(8)
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Salix myrsinifolia 'Blackskin'

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Late Spring / Summer / into Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Smooth
  • Colored

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Full Sun
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Marginal
  • Hedgerow
  • Basketry
  • Natural Garden
  • Cutting Garden
  • Shrub Border
  • Accent
  • Hedge

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Rapid

Soil

  • Moist
  • Fertile

Origins

  • Alps
  • United Kingdom

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Salix

Common Name: Willow

Salix. These are the willows, a large genus of woody plants. Some willows are small shrubs, others grow into huge trees and there are many bushy species which fall in between. All prefer sun planted in fertile moisture retaining soils; some are tolerant of quite wet feet. Many have quite attractive lanceolate leaves with silvery undersides that flash in summer breezes… I have often thought of these as the “poor man’s bamboo”. Some have contorted and beautifully colored bark which shines in the winter landscape. Many sport beautiful winter/spring catkins. Nearly all willows have utilitarian applications in fencing, rods, basket making. All are very prune-able; in fact, any of the larger shrubs depending upon how you desire to employ them will respond well to pruning and coppicing. When coppiced those with beautifully colored winter stems display many more of them. And as with ornamental shrub dogwoods younger stems exhibit the best, most intense winter tones. All ornamental characteristics will be presented according to species/cultivar. All of the following offerings are established pot grown shrubs from a cutting. We may prune back all larger growing selections prior to shipping so that you will not incur the extra handling charge.