How much sun does Sitka willow need?

Sitka willow grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Sitka willow bloom?

Sitka willow blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Sitka willow native?

Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Sitka willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix sitchensis

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) 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

high

Size

96"–240" H × 96"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains North American Deserts

A fast-growing, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with narrow, silky-haired leaves and fuzzy catkins that appear before the leaves in early spring. Grows along streambanks and wet floodplains, often forming dense thickets.

Wildlife value

Host plant for western tiger swallowtail, mourning cloak.

As a native willow, it is an important early-spring pollen source for emerging bees and serves as a larval host plant for western tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak butterflies.

Common questions

How much sun does Sitka willow need?: Sitka willow grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Sitka willow bloom?: Sitka willow blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Sitka willow native?: Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Sitka willow host?: Sitka willow is a larval host plant for western tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Sitka 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

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz