Salix purpurea 'Eugene'
purpurea = purple
Purple Willow
A male selection of the purple willow that was incorrectly introduced as 'Eugenii'. It can grow 10-16ft as an upright shrub. Much better to coppice it so it never gets that large and can provide lots of long, thin, straight stems with many uses, living or dried. Like most purpureas the leaves are both opposite and what's called sub-opposite (not quite opposite!). Youngest leaves have a reddish-brown tinge that soon fades to the usual blue-green shade and glaucous underneath. Catkins are 1-1.5in long and anthers start purple, turn red and finally yellow when the pollen sacs open!
This was introduced by the soil Conservation Service of Czechoslovakia and has a very upright growth habit.
USES: like all upright purpureas, 'Eugene' is great for basketry and other weaving arts. Also very useful for soil conservation. 'Streamco' is not the only willow to use for that purpose!
Part of our stock in the nursery.
Male catkins in various stages of development.
In late October the stems have turned a deep wine-red and will hold that colour through the winter.
Red tinged young leaves and stems. long straight supple rods.
WillowWorld
of Michael Dodge