Golden Willow vs Green Bulrush - TreeTime.ca

Golden Willow vs Green Bulrush

Salix alba vitellina

Scirpus pallidus

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Golden Willow
Green Bulrush

Golden Willow is an attractive accent tree that's perfectly suited for those moist or wet areas on your property.

This fast growing tree has glossy narrow leaves that turn gold in fall, furrowed brown bark and showy gold branches that especially stand out in the winter.

Golden Willow is commonly used for windbreaks, shelterbelts, and ornamental planting. In addition to looking great, Golden Willow attracts a variety of birds and mammals with its twigs and buds.

All willow 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.

Note: do not plant near buildings or buried services.

Green Bulrush is a common waterside plant, suitable for erosion control and land reclamation. Despite this, Green Bulrush is very drought resistant once established. Bulrushes can cool nearby areas on hot days.

Unlike many of the other waterside plants available, Green Bulrush does not attract wildlife. This makes it a good choice for surrounding residential water sources.

Green Bulrush is topped with spiky balls of florets, green in the spring and fading to brown in the fall.

Golden Willow Quick Facts

Green Bulrush Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: long thin whitish green
Fall colour: golden yellow
Bark: bright yellow
Flowers: green spiked clusters
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 2.4 - 3 m (8 - 10 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: basket willow, blue willow, cricket bat willow, duck willow, velvet osier, white osier, white willow
Other Names: cloaked bulrush, pale bulrush, pale-green bulrush