When does Lemmon's Willow bloom?

Lemmon's Willow typically flowers from May through July, producing catkins before or as its leaves emerge.

How much water does Lemmon's Willow need?

This shrub prefers consistently moist to wet soil and is often found along streambanks, in wet meadows, and near seeps at higher elevations.

What pollinators visit Lemmon's Willow?

Bees are the primary pollinators, visiting the early-season catkins for pollen and nectar.

What growing conditions suit Lemmon's Willow best?

It grows best in full sun with saturated or seasonally flooded soils, making it well suited to riparian and montane wetland plantings.

Is Lemmon's Willow toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Lemmon's Willow as toxic to livestock.

Is Lemmon's Willow HOA-friendly?

Lemmon's Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Lemmon's Willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix lemmonii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Lemmon's Willow is a deciduous shrub that thrives in full sun with consistent moisture, blooming from May through July along streambanks and wet mountain meadows.

Toxicity unknown

Lemmon's Willow (Salix lemmonii) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Lemmon's Willow as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

36"–120" H × 36"–120" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 2 more states

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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

Lemmon's willow is a native shrub that forms a rounded, multi-stemmed clump reaching 3 to 10 feet tall and wide. It produces small catkins from May through July and thrives in moist conditions with full sun exposure. The deciduous foliage provides seasonal interest but requires consistent watering to maintain healthy growth.

Growing Lemmon's Willow

Grow Lemmon's Willow in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 36 to 120 inches tall and spread 36 to 120 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Lemmon's Willow takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Large mature size may exceed typical shrub expectations
High water needs conflict with xeriscape preferences
Informal growth habit lacks structured appearance

Wildlife value

This willow supports bees and other pollinators with its spring and summer catkins. The dense branching structure also provides nesting sites and shelter for birds.

Common questions

When does Lemmon's Willow bloom?: Lemmon's Willow typically flowers from May through July, producing catkins before or as its leaves emerge.
How much water does Lemmon's Willow need?: This shrub prefers consistently moist to wet soil and is often found along streambanks, in wet meadows, and near seeps at higher elevations.
What pollinators visit Lemmon's Willow?: Bees are the primary pollinators, visiting the early-season catkins for pollen and nectar.
What growing conditions suit Lemmon's Willow best?: It grows best in full sun with saturated or seasonally flooded soils, making it well suited to riparian and montane wetland plantings.
Is Lemmon's Willow toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Lemmon's Willow as toxic to livestock.
Is Lemmon's Willow HOA-friendly?: Lemmon's Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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.

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