Prairie WillowSalix humilis
Prairie Willow is a native shrub that, unlike other willow species, can thrive in drier habitats. Its dense foliage provides cover for wildlife and bees love its spring-blooming flowers.
USDA symbol: SAHU2
General Information
| Plant Type | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Height | 8 feet |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun |
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium |
| Bloom Color | White |

Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | Low |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 7 |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Stress Tolerance | Fire Tolerant |
Pollinator Value: Very High
| Bloom Months | March to May |
|---|---|
| Larval Host of | Bees, Butterflies |
| Specific Pollinators Hosted | Numerous bee species, Numerous butterfly species |
| Pollinator Benefit | Insect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 8 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | Medium |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Medium |
| Soil Stabilization | Shallow |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands |