Salix purpurea 'Nana’

Salix purpurea ‘Nana’: Compact Willow with Purple Stems

Salix purpurea ‘Nana’ is a tidy, rounded willow prized for its fine texture and clean, compact shape. Narrow, bluish-green foliage sits on slender, whip-like branching, creating a soft, refined mound that looks crisp from spring through fall. In winter and early spring, deep purple stems and smooth bark add welcome colour and structure when the garden is otherwise quiet. It is an easy shrub to place, especially where you want a compact plant with strong seasonal character.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 90 cm
• Spread: 90 cm
• Flower Colour: Inconspicuous catkins
• Flowering Period: Spring
• Foliage: Fine bluish-green foliage on whip-like branching; deep purple branches and smooth bark
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable

Uses and Benefits: A smart choice for low hedging, foundation beds, and modern shrub borders, ‘Nana’ brings a fine-textured look that softens hard edges without taking up much space. Use it in repeated plantings for a calm, structured rhythm, or as a compact accent where winter stem colour adds extra value. Its rounded habit makes it especially effective along paths and driveways, or at the front of mixed shrub plantings where a neat, dependable form is important.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the best density and strongest stem colour. Water regularly during the first growing season, then water during extended dry spells, especially in sandy soils. Mulch helps conserve moisture and keeps weeds down. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain a tight, rounded shape, and to encourage fresh new stems that keep the plant looking vigorous and clean.

History: Salix purpurea is a willow species valued for slender stems and fine foliage, often used where texture and winter interest are design priorities. ‘Nana’ was selected for a compact, rounded habit, bringing the elegant look of purple-stem willow to smaller gardens and more controlled landscape settings.

Final Thoughts: Neat in summer and colourful in the off-season, ‘Nana’ is a compact willow that earns its keep with fine texture, purple stems, and an easy, landscape-friendly habit.