Dwarf Blue Leaf Arctic Willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana')
SAY-lix per-per-EE-ah 'Nana'

Deciduous Perennial Rounded, Dense, Multi-Stemmed, Mounding in the Salicaceae Family
A dwarf, dense willow with fine silvery-blue foliage and purple winter stems, ideal for wet sites and small-space hedging.

Salix purpurea 'Nana' is a compact, dwarf cultivar of the native Purple Willow that offers year-round interest in northern landscapes. Typically reaching 4-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, this small shrub features a dense, rounded habit with soft, silvery-blue foliage and fuzzy spring catkins. 'Nana' is highly adaptable, thriving in consistently moist soils across a range of conditions, from rain gardens to foundation plantings. Its diminutive stature and resilient nature make 'Nana' a low-maintenance yet impactful choice, providing structural interest and serving as a pollinator-friendly accent plant.

Pros

  • Fine-textured, silvery-blue summer foliage and colorful purple stems for winter interest
  • Thrives in consistently wet soil where many shrubs struggle
  • Compact, dense habit works well as a low hedge or accent
  • Fast growing and easy to establish

Cons

  • Susceptible to a range of willow pests and diseases (aphids, scale, cankers, blights) if stressed
  • Relatively short-lived with weak wood prone to ice/snow damage
  • Needs regular pruning to keep its dense, compact form
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 4 - 6 feet tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Moist to Adaptable
Zones 3a - 6b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Colorful Foliage, Deciduous, Erosion Control, Foundation, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Asian Garden, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Hedges, Good for Rain Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Medium, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Pond, Shrub, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet Site Tolerant, Winter Interest Fast Growing Shrubs, Small Shrubs, Yellow Flowering Shrubs
Bloom Period April to May
Flower Color Grayish-White
Foliage Color
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Pendula Norway Spruce, Lace Shrub
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!