Purple osier willow

Salix purpurea L.

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by our sources (not a clearance)

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA has a species page, "Pupleosier Willow (Salix purpurea)", listing it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ASPCA is the only source we found, and one source is not enough to call a plant safe for pets, so it is not assessed as safe. Keep pets from eating it. Trees and Shrubs Online notes the bark is very rich in salicine.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 4a-8b per NC State Plant Toolbox; zones 3-6 per Morton Arboretum (Chicago region); hardy to USDA zone 3 per Oregon State
Light: Full sun for best flowering; tolerates part shade (NC State).
Water needs: high high is a plain-language reading of the sources: NC State prefers moist soils, even intermittently flooded ones; Morton Arboretum does best in moist to wet soils; Oregon State good for wet areas. Trees and Shrubs Online adds it thrives in dryish ground better than most willows, and NC State says it tolerates occasional dry spells. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: US: NC State: 1-2 ft tall and wide (its text) and 9 in.-1.5 ft (attribute list); Oregon State: 8-10+ ft; Morton Arboretum: 8 to 10 ft, with the dwarf cultivars 'Gracilis' about 6 ft and 'Nana' 4 to 5 ft; UK: Trees and Shrubs Online: 10 to 18 ft under cultivation, rarely a small tree; the 'Nana' form is usually under 5 ft

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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