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Arctic Willow

Salix arctica

Arctic willow is a ground-hugging dwarf shrub of tundra and alpine fellfields, one of the northernmost woody plants on Earth. A curiosity and rock-garden groundcover for cold climates.

Family
Salicaceae
Type
shrub
Lifespan
perennial
Height
0–1 ft
Spacing
1–3 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
moist, wet
Soil pH
acidic, neutral
Bloom
June, July
Bloom colors
yellow, green
Wildlife value
pollinators, songbirds, butterflies, larval host
Caterpillar hosts
~455 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
foundation, groundcover, container, rain garden, erosion control
Native states
AK, CA, CO, ID, MT, UT, WA, WY