Tall Shrubs

Bebb / Diamond Willow

Salix bebbiana

• Large shrub about 5m tall and 3-4 m wide at the top.
• Long wide leaves vary in texture from shiny to hairy.
• Pussy willows (male catkins) bloom in mid spring, turning bright yellow with pollen as they mature.
• Older growth is grey, but young branches vary in colour from brown reddish.

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Special Conditions

Blackbud Willow

Salix petiolaris

• Variable in height, from 2-3m tall and wide.  Round form.
• Narrow dark green leaf with yellow colour.
• Very tiny, subtle pussy willows (male catkins) appear before leaves in mid spring and line the branch like droplets of water
• Fine twigs vary from yellow to orange to red.  Outstanding winter colours.

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Special Conditions

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

• Tall shrub to 4-5m that suckers to form a 3-4m wide plant.
• All native seed sourced species have large green leaves.
• Small white flowers in down hanging racemes appear in early spring before leaves.
• Clusters of purple fruit in the fall.

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Special Conditions

Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

• Tall lanky shrub to 2m high and wide.
• Long pithy branches with long internodes.
• Large succulent compound leaves, variable leaf margins from smooth to deeply toothed.
• Large clusters of small creamy white flowers at the end of the branches appear in early summer, followed by large clusters of red fruit in fall.
• Big fat purple buds are noticeable just before leaf break.

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Special Conditions

Green / Slide Alder

Alnus crispa

• Multi-stemmed plant to 3m tall and 2m wide
• Dark shiny green leaves in the summer
• Persistent catkins; male and female catkins on the same plant start blooming in late winter or very early spring; female catkins cone-like 1-2 cm long, persistent after seed has shed, hanging in groups of 3-6
• Smooth grey bark similar to River Alder

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Special Conditions

Pussy Willow

Salix discolor

• Large shrub, 2-4m in height and 2-3m in width.
• Leaves are typically long and narrow, dark green turning bright yellow in fall.
• Traditional soft silver pussy willow (male catkin) flowers in early spring before leaves
• Young wood is light to dark red, older wood has silvery bloom (coating)

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Special Conditions

Sandbar Willow

Salix interior

• Will grow 3-4m tall, and half an acre wide.
• Forms tall dense clumps.  Branches have an individual upright growth habit.
• Dark green leaves are long and slender, which gives the plant a very fine texture that looks good in the wind.
• Small, fairly insignificant pussy willow (male catkin) that appears in late spring.
• Winter wood is a subtle pinkish to orangey

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Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia

• Much-branched tall shrub to 6m.  Species shows some variability, height can range from 1m to 6 m.
• Forms loose patches, can sucker to form a grove.
• Small white flowers in clusters in early spring prior to leaves.  Sweet dark purple fruit.
• Fall colours range from oranges to reds.

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Special Conditions

Silver / Thorny Buffaloberry

Shepherdia argentea

• Up to 4m tall, forming thickets up to 4m wide
• Densely branched with thorny tips
• Bright silvery long narrow leaves
• Very small 2mm yellow flower close to the interior branches on older wood bloom in late spring and last only about 2 days
• Red berry 4mm in diameter found in clusters along the branches
• Winter appearance is a large, smoky grey planting

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Special Conditions

Silverberry / Wolf Willow

Elaeagnus commutata

• Variable shrub from 1m to 3m tall.
• Suckers aggressively to form groves.
• Narrow silver leaves.
• Small yellow flowers in late spring, very fragrant.
• Fruit is a silver berry and persistent through the winter.
• Silvery grey twigs stand out in winter.

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Special Conditions

Tawny Willow

Salix lucida

• Grows 6-7m in height, relatively narrow at 2-3m wide.
• Branchy, upright form.
• Long narrow green leaf; newly emerging leaves are pinkish red.  Small, round leaflets at the base of the leaf stem.
• Small, relatively insignificant pussy willows (male catkins) bloom in late spring.
• Tawny bark with red buds.
• Twigs are often darker red on the sunny side.

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Special Conditions