Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Other Names:  Willow-leaved Stachyurus

Description:

An upright, gracefully arching evergreen shrub producing cascading racemes of pale, greenish-yellow flowers in late winter to spring; elegant foliage is narrow and willow-like; an outstanding addition to the garden or landscape

Ornamental Features

Willow Leaf Spiketail is draped in stunning racemes of buttery yellow bell-shaped flowers with chartreuse overtones hanging below the branches from late winter to early spring. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The serrated narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The smooth tan bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Willow Leaf Spiketail is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely form and gracefully arching branches. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Willow Leaf Spiketail is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Willow Leaf Spiketail will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.