Salix x 'Winter Glory' – This is one of the most beautiful willows in cultivation. According to Michael Dodge, the guru of willows, "This beautiful and vigorous male hybrid was found in the wild in Japan and is a cross between two native species S. gracilistyla and S. caprea, which they call S. bakko! (There is reference to S. x leucopithecia as a cross between these species--horrible name for such a beautiful plant!)." Eek! Leucopithecia sounds like a disease. Anywho... It has huge silvery gray catkins that emerge from attractive glossy red bud sheaths against olive to olive brown wood. They begin to emerge in USDA zone 5b as early as late January, lasting for nearly 2 months. In some winters some sheaths will begin to crack and expose catkins at the New Year. The catkin size is the reason for another common name, Giant Pussy Willow; on maturing specimens in excellent conditions the catkins can be quite large. A quick growing shrub, this will make a fascinating screen or specimen with a long season of interest when little else has even begun to stir from the long winter nap! Established pot grown shrub from cutting.

From Carole B. (MI) on 5.5.2018 - The two salix I purchased from you arrived and are looking lovely. Thank you so much for such nice plants and 
for the excellent packaging and shipping! I really appreciate it.

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