Salix bebbiana
long-beaked willow
 
Salix bebbiana is a hardy, fast-growing shrub that doesn’t mind getting its feet wet—and in fact, prefers it. Native to wet meadows, streambanks, and marshy lowlands across New England, it thrives in full sun and saturated to seasonally moist soils, often with a high organic content.
 
This willow is no shrinking violet; its vigorous suckering habit can quickly form dense thickets, making it a powerhouse for erosion control and wildlife cover. It mixes well with other moisture-loving natives like Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood), Spiraea alba (Meadowsweet), and Carex stricta (Tussock Sedge), building out diverse riparian communities.
 
Ecologically, S. bebbiana is a buffet—its early-spring catkins provide crucial nectar and pollen for native bees and emerging Bombus queens, while its leaves are the favorite food of Chrysomela spp. (leaf beetles) and a host plant for dozens of Lepidoptera larvae, including the striking Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia). Add to that a generous offering of twigs and buds for grazing mammals and you’ve got a shrub that throws a party every season—and everyone's invited.
 
Plants can be purchased in-person or online (with in-person pick-up).
All online orders will be ready for pick-up 24-72 hours after purchase. You will receive an email to let you know when your order is ready. We kindly ask that you pick-up any orders within one week of purchase. 
 
photos by Matt Lavin