When does peachleaf willow bloom?

Peachleaf willow produces its catkins in April and May, ahead of or alongside leaf emergence.

What pollinates peachleaf willow flowers?

Bees and beetles visit the catkins for pollen and nectar, since willows are among the earliest food sources available in spring.

Does peachleaf willow lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is a deciduous tree that drops its narrow, peach-like leaves each fall.

What growing conditions does peachleaf willow need?

This tree does best in full sun with plenty of moisture, often growing along riverbanks, ditches, and low wet areas where its roots stay consistently damp.

How much sun does peachleaf willow tolerate?

It grows best in full sun but can manage in part sun, especially where soil moisture stays high.

Is Peachleaf Willow toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Peachleaf Willow as toxic to livestock.

Is Peachleaf Willow HOA-friendly?

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

Peachleaf Willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix amygdaloides

Last reviewed: September 2026

Salix amygdaloides is a streamside tree that flowers in April and May, favoring full sun and consistently moist to wet soils along rivers, ditches, and floodplains across much of the central and western United States.

Toxicity unknown

Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides) 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 Peachleaf Willow as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

240"–720" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CO, IA, ID and 24 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Peachleaf willow is a fast-growing native tree that can reach 20 to 60 feet tall with a broad, open crown. This moisture-loving willow thrives in wet soils and full sun, making it ideal for low-lying areas or near water features. It produces early spring catkins that provide nectar when few other flowers are available.

Growing Peachleaf Willow

Grow Peachleaf Willow in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 240 to 720 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely large size inappropriate for most residential lots
Fast growth creates maintenance burden
Willows often perceived as messy by HOAs

Wildlife value

The early blooming catkins are crucial for bees and beetles emerging in spring when other food sources are scarce. Birds often nest in the spreading branches and feed on the seeds.

Common questions

When does peachleaf willow bloom?: Peachleaf willow produces its catkins in April and May, ahead of or alongside leaf emergence.
What pollinates peachleaf willow flowers?: Bees and beetles visit the catkins for pollen and nectar, since willows are among the earliest food sources available in spring.
Does peachleaf willow lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, it is a deciduous tree that drops its narrow, peach-like leaves each fall.
What growing conditions does peachleaf willow need?: This tree does best in full sun with plenty of moisture, often growing along riverbanks, ditches, and low wet areas where its roots stay consistently damp.
How much sun does peachleaf willow tolerate?: It grows best in full sun but can manage in part sun, especially where soil moisture stays high.
Is Peachleaf Willow toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Peachleaf Willow as toxic to livestock.
Is Peachleaf Willow HOA-friendly?: Peachleaf 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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