Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Friday - July 01, 2005

From: Sugar Camp,Rhinelander, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Trees
Title: Willows native to Wisconsin
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a small garden center in the far northern reaches of Wisconsin....and I specialize in native varieties for up here. I also help folks with lake shore restoration and preservation. There was a local grower that was propagating native Bog Willow for me to use to hold shoreline erosion. He is now only growing the cousin Arctic Blue which is not native to this area. Can you please suggest another option for me or possibly a place where I might purchase bog willow starts so I can grow my own? thanks

ANSWER:

There are several other willows that are native to Wisconsin. For instance, Pussy willow (Salix discolor) and Shining willow (Salix lucida). You can find other willows plus other shrubs and small trees that do well in wet areas in Michigan by doing a search in the Native Plants Database. Select Combination Search at the bottom of the page. This will allow you to make choices in several different categories; e.g., "Bloom Characteristics", "Growth Form", "Growing Conditions", and "U.S. Distribution". By choosing 'Shrub' under "Growth Form", 'Wet' soil moisture under "Growing Conditions", and 'Wisconsin' from "U.S. Distribution", you will get a list with thumbnail photographs of shrubs that grow under these conditions.

To find a supplier in your area, visit the National Suppliers Directory on the Wildflower Center web page. You can search by state or region for nurseries. In a quick search in the Midwest Region, I found one nursery Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota, which has the two willows named above for sale online.

 

More Trees Questions

Plants for soil with basalt outcroppings in Idaho
March 30, 2008 - We have basalt (lava) outcropping in part of our back yard and know we'll have to search for pockets of soil in which to plant. Any suggestions about what trees or shrubs would have a chance in thes...
view the full question and answer

Native evergreen tree for horse pasture in New Jersey
April 05, 2009 - I just pulled out a laurel that was hiding a stand pipe in our horse paddock. We had trouble this winter with the horses eating it when there was little grass to graze on. Can you suggest an evergre...
view the full question and answer

Mountain Laurel not growing in Hallettesville, TX.
September 16, 2012 - Mountain laurel has been planted over 2 years. Well drained,sandy soil, full sun. They have not grown or set blooms despite occasional all purpose fertilizers. What is wrong?
view the full question and answer

Fruit on Mexican olive in Austin
June 05, 2008 - Does Mexican Olive set fruit in Austin? Does there need to be a male and female tree or not. How old does the plant have to be to set fruit? Mine is three years old but no olives. I need to know ...
view the full question and answer

Live oaks exhibiting white foam spots from Round Rock, TX
June 08, 2014 - We have several native very large Live Oak in our backyard, and this summer we have noticed white foam spots on the branches. We live in Round Rock next to the Williamson County Park. The spots look...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.