Salix udensis
uden = a District of Eastern Siberi
(syn. S. sachalinensis)
Uden/Sachalin Willow
We received cuttings of this species in 2017, it flowered for the first time in 2019 and it is a female selection. Udensis is a species of willows native to northeastern Asia, eastern Siberia (including Kamchatka), northeastern China, and northern Japan. It is a deciduous, upright shrub growing to 16ft tall and spreading to 20ft wide. The leaves are slender, lanceolate, 3-5in long and 1in wide, glossy dark green above, glaucous and slightly hairy below, with a finely serrated margin. The foliage is particularly handsome and it makes an imposing specimen. Flowers are produced in early spring on catkins 1-2in long. Stems are red when young and if coppiced make great straight rods for basketry. Hardy to at least Zone 4.
USES: This is a very choice ornamental shrub or small tree. Can be kept small by heavy pruning after flowering. If coppiced, useful for basketry and living willow structures
The handsome foliage of Salix udensis makes this a highly ornamental shrub and worth the space in any garden.
Our two-year old plant of the Uden Willow in the nursery from cuttings given to us by Walter Buechler.
A vigorous plant with long straight stems, probably good for willow structures. Mid July.
One of the identifying characteristics of Salix udensis is the rolled-over edges of the young leaves (see lowest leaf).
The undersides of the leaves start bright green, but by mid-july they are bluish gray with a glaucous waxy covering to reduce water loss.
Salix udensis has bright green stems in the first year. They turn gray-green in their second year, see below.
A mature plant of Salix udensis in the Reykjavic Botanic Garden; earlyJuly.
This catkin has burst out of its red-brown bud scale.
This female catkin is at her height of maturity in early May and welcomes insect visitors.
These female catkins appear in abundance on the previous year's wood.
WillowWorld
of Michael Dodge