How much sun does Alpine willow need?

Alpine willow grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Alpine willow bloom?

Alpine willow blooms in June and July.

Where is Alpine willow native?

Alpine willow (Salix arctica) is native to WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Alpine willow host?

Alpine willow is a larval host plant for mourning cloak.

Alpine willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix arctica

Last reviewed: October 2026

Alpine willow (Salix arctica) is a perennial shrub native to WA. It blooms in June and July. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Alpine willow (Salix arctica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

2"–6" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Alpine willow.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains

A dwarf, prostrate alpine willow that hugs the ground with woody stems and small catkins in a tight, low mat. Its scale suits only a rock garden or alpine trough rather than a typical yard.

Growing Alpine willow

Grow Alpine willow in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 2 to 6 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for mourning cloak.

Its short-season catkins are an important early nectar and pollen source for bees at high elevation, and the foliage hosts mourning cloak caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Alpine willow need?: Alpine willow grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Alpine willow bloom?: Alpine willow blooms in June and July.
Where is Alpine willow native?: Alpine willow (Salix arctica) is native to WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Alpine willow host?: Alpine willow is a larval host plant for mourning cloak.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Alpine willow? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app