Salix korihanagi 'Rubykins' (ex: Sharon George) – ​This, according to Michael Dodge, is the purported selection called 'Rubykins'. It's very pretty yellow to brassy yellow younger wood sometimes in sections is infused with ruddy red. Loads of attractive, arching lavender to red-pink tinted catkins in spring occur in opposite pairing all up and down the branches. Narrow, delicate lanceolate leaves follow erupting with a touch of pink, settling back to lettuce green and finally maturing to green or dark blue-green with a distinct silver-white vein running down the middle of each. We had thought this plant to be possibly something altogether different but the Vermont Willow Guy himself, Michael Dodge, set us straight. Thank you, Michael, for your sage and gentle tutoring... “The pics tell me that it is Salix koriyanagi and maybe the selection ‘Rubykins’ (that, I believe, is the species with a catchier name.) It’s great; vigorous, useful for basketry and living structures, but unlike S. purpurea deer will eat it and rabbits too I’m told!” The latter hasn't occurred here... at least not yet! This is another very fast grower with a lovely, soft affect. Your 'Rubykins' may arrive modestly but attractively pruned. Established pot grown shrub from cutting.

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