Salix sericea aka Silky Willow

Salix sericea, also known as silky willow, is a deciduous shrub native to swamps and along rivers in eastern United States and Canada. It can grow up to 4 meters tall and has long, thin, purplish twigs. The lanceolate leaves are 6–10 cm long, 7–8 mm wide, dark green and lightly hairy on top, while the undersides are covered with white silky hairs. Catkins are sessile and bloom in May, followed by fruits in June. The bark is yellowish-brown. This dioecious species has separate male and female trees, with male catkins being somewhat showy and female catkins smaller and non-showy. The leaves turn a variable pale yellow in the fall. While the species is rarely sold, popular cultivars include weeping forms and those with showy red or yellow winter twigs. Salix sericea prefers direct light and moist soil, and should be fertilized with organic fertilizer during peak growing season. It is also a rare houseplant that requires regular watering.