Acute Willow vs Water Arum - TreeTime.ca

Acute Willow vs Water Arum

Calla palustris

Salix acutifolia

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Water Arum
Acute Willow

Water Arum is a native perennial wetland plant known for its showy white oval sheaths (spathe) that surround a yellow-green, cylindrical flower spike (spadix). It has large, oblong, heart-shaped leaves on stems that rise above the water from shallow, spreading rhizomes. The blossoms are followed in late summer by tiny, pear-shaped fruits that ripen to bright red, adding ornamental interest to wet habitats.

Water Arum provides food for birds and small mammals that eat its berries, and its flowers attract pollinators. It can tolerate cold climates and forms colonies in shallow water and saturated soils. It is well-suited for ecological restoration, riparian planting, naturalisation, and habitat projects in wet and shaded environments.

Acute Willow is a very fast growing small tree that can reach growth rates of up to 6 feet per year. It's a great choice for developing a quick, hardy shelterbelt, windbreak, or privacy screen.

Acute Willow will grow multi-stemmed but can be pruned to a single stem for a smaller footprint. It prefers moist areas and requires almost no maintenance.

Willows are important to native pollinators each spring as they have higher amounts of pollen and nectar early each growing season when other food sources are scarce.

Water Arum Quick Facts

Acute Willow Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: low

Toxicity: toxic if ingested

Foliage: long slender leaves
Bark: younger branches are bright brown-red
Flowers: white sheath around and yellow spike
Bloom time: spring to summer
Berries: red, in clusters
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: bog arum, swamp lily, wild calla, wild dragon
Other Names: acute leaf willow, acute leafed willow, long-leaved violet willow, sharp-leaf willow