Salix caroliniana aka Carolina Willow

Salix caroliniana belongs to the willow family, Salicaceae. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves. Common names include Carolina willow and swamp willow. Another name is coastal plain willow. It is native to the central and eastern United States. Its range extends to northeastern Mexico and includes Guatemala. It forms a shrub or small tree in wet places. Wild plants grow along river edges and on sandbars. They also grow on canal banks and by ponds among coastal dunes.

In gardens, it grows 15–20 feet (4.6–6.1 metres) tall. It spreads 15–30 feet (4.6–9.1 metres) wide. It grows fast, with an open, spreading, uneven form. The gray bark can be smooth, with small bumps. It can have horizontal lenticels, or pores across the bark. Deep grooves in the bark add interest in winter. These show after the leaves fall. The simple leaves have one blade each. They grow in an alternate pattern, taking turns along the stems. They are light green, long, and narrow, with toothed edges. Their lanceolate shape looks like a lance head. Leaves reach about 0.67 feet (0.20 metres) long. Pale leaf undersides help tell it apart from black willow. Its leaves are wider than black willow leaves, too.

Small greenish-yellow flowers grow in clusters called catkins in spring. In North Carolina, they bloom from March through May. Bees visit the flowers and help pollinate them. The small fruit is an egg-shaped capsule. North Carolina records show fruit from April through June. The source also says the capsules ripen in summer. Flowers and fruit add interest in their seasons.

This willow suits soil that stays moist or wet. It grows in poor soil but cannot cope with drought. Pond edges, stream banks, and wet thickets match its wild home. It can take some salt spray near the coast. Other plants should shield it from direct salt spray. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it for USDA zones 4–8. Growers can use seed, stem cuttings, or root cuttings. It does not catch fire easily. This adds value where garden fire risk matters.

Carolina willow gives wildlife food and dense shelter. It suits native gardens, rain gardens, and butterfly gardens. Its leaves feed viceroy caterpillars and eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars. Mourning cloak caterpillars eat the leaves, too. Red-spotted purple and eastern comma caterpillars also use this willow. Io moth larvae feed on it as well. Its flowers support bees. Its branches give wildlife cover.