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Sandbar Willow

Salix exigua

true

1 gallon; 3 gallon

Sandbar Willow

In stock

4-15'x4-15'

Sizes:

Sandbar Willow – Salix exigua
Also known as: Narrowleaf Willow; Coyote Willow

Sandbar Willow is a suckering shrub native to much of North America, including the riparian corridors and oases of the Colorado Desert. It forms dense thickets through spreading root shoots, typically reaching 4 to 15 feet tall. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves are soft green to gray-green and often covered in silky white hairs when young, creating a delicate shimmer as they flutter in the wind.

In late spring, male and female catkins appear on separate plants. These yellow or white catkins are followed by clusters of small, silky-haired seed capsules that float easily on the wind. Like other willows, Salix exigua prefers full sun and moist soil, tolerating heavy clay or poor drainage provided the roots stay consistently damp. While it is the only true willow adapted to survive in desert climates, it must have access to groundwater or regular irrigation.

Sandbar Willow is one of the most ecologically important native shrubs for wetland and riparian restoration in arid regions. It stabilizes streambanks, provides cover, and plays host to an enormous variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, moths, and beneficial insects. Native Americans traditionally used its flexible stems for basketry, arrows, scoops, and traps.

This plant is frost-tolerant and adaptable but requires space to spread.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa); Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus); Sylvan Hairstreak (Satyrium sylvinus); Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini); White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)
Nectar Source: Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Bird Resources: Caterpillars; Sap; Nest Sites; Catkins
Bird Species: Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia); Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus); Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus); Thrashers; Sparrows

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Moderate; High

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

4-15'x4-15'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow; White

Flower season:

Spring; Winter

Pruning:

Cold Hardiness:

-30 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Yes

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.