Pygmy Caragana vs Diamond-Leaf Willow - TreeTime.ca

Pygmy Caragana vs Diamond-Leaf Willow

Caragana pygmaea

Salix planifolia

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Pygmy Caragana
Diamond-Leaf Willow

Pygmy Caragana is a shrub that is related to Common Caragana and has a compact size that is suitable for yards with limited space. Its size is perfect for landscaping and decorative hedges, and requires little maintenance. This nitrogen fixer has fine-textured foliage and small yellow flowers. Much like Common Caragana, it is hardy and drought tolerant.

Popular as a low maintenance commercial landscaping shrub and for hedging. This species does have tiny spines that might poke you a bit. It has a nice appealing texture when mature.

Diamond-Leaf Willow is a native deciduous shrub known for its glossy diamond-shaped leaves, which give the shrub its name. Its catkins emerge in spring, providing an important early source of pollen for pollinators. The shrub’s dense growth also offers valuable cover and browse for wildlife, including moose and deer.

This shrub is well-suited to cool, moist habitats such as wetlands, streambanks, and forest openings. It spreads by rhizomes, helping to stabilize soils and form dense thickets. Diamond-Leaf Willow is valuable for reclamation, wetland enhancement, shelterbelt plantings, and a wide range of conservation and habitat restoration projects.

Pygmy Caragana Quick Facts

Diamond-Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading, ticket-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Suckering: none


Bark: smooth, dark brown
Flowers: prolific tiny yellow pea-like flowers
Seeds: prolific seedpods are edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: pygmy peashrub
Other Names: diamondleaf willow, flat-leaved willow, mountain willow, plane-leaf willow, plane-leaved willow, tea-leaf willow, tea-leaved willow