Growing zones
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Order this Popular Garden Shrub from McKay Nursery Today! Here at McKay Nursery, we give landscape design solutions through our expertly curated collection of plants, including the scene-stealing blue-leaf Arctic willow. Our nursery in Waterloo, Wisconsin, is our homegrown source of hardy and vibrant plants for your landscaping needs. Order your very own dwarf blue Arctic willow today and don't forget to add on a one-year warranty with your purchase!
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
- Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
4-6' x 4-6' 
Bloom Season:
Spring
- Attracts Bees
- Attracts Birds
- Rain Gardens
- Walnut Toxicity Resistant
- Hedges & Screens
- Attracts Pollinators
Planting & Care for Dwarf Arctic Blue-Leaf Willow (Salix purpurea 'Nana')
Preparation
- The dwarf Arctic blue-leaf willow is a low-growing willow suitable for low hedges.
- This shrub is compact, slender-branched and has silvery green leaves.
- Useful for damp sites.
- Periodic renewal pruning is needed in spring and fall.
- This plant will require periodic renewal pruning in spring and fall.
Opening Plant Material
- Bare Root: Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Keep the roots from full sun since they should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted.
Planting Bare Root
- Plant bare root in fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
- Trim off the broken roots and branches.
- Place fertilizer packets in the hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until the soil settles completely, saturating the soil and planting pit.
- Re-adjust the plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
- Backfill the balance of the soil and water well.
- Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for additional planting information and information.
Pruning - After Planting
- Bare Root: Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure successful planting. Pruning should occur as soon as possible, before or after planting, and with sharp pruning shears.
Pruning - Throughout the Season
- Renewal prune for best results. You can do this in spring or fall.
- Top back some branches to improve the general shape.
- Cut the shrub back to at least ½ its original size to promote new growth from the base.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best growing zone for blue Arctic willow?
Where can you use a blue Arctic willow in a landscape design?
Can a dwarf blue Arctic willow survive in inner city environments?
What diseases are common to dwarf blue Arctic willow?
A blue Arctic willow shrub will natturally have its narrow leaves turn yellow in fall. However, the presence of leaf rust infects the willow through symptoms of orange or brown pustules on the surface of the leaf.
Rust populations can multiply through infection, leading to repeated re-infections during the summer. This produces teliospores that overwinter on the infected leaves.
To deal with leaf rust, remove and destroy all affected leaves and apply fungicide repeatedly as needed.
Willow scab is another fungal infection that presents as olive-brown masses on leaves, petioles, or the fine whip-like branches of the shrub. Willow scab should only do minimal damage to shoots and leaves. However, heavy infections can reduce growth and vigor, resulting in twig or branch dieback.
To manage willow scab, properly timed fungicides should reduce the risk of infection spreading.
What pests are common to dwarf blue Arctic willow?
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.