Many recent shrub introductions have tender northern gardeners colorful foliage to emphasize their gardens . Whether it is the reds or purple ofninebark , the chartreuse ofspireaorsumac , or a greatvariegated dogwood , foliage can lighten up our gardens all time of year long .
Until late , we ’ve not had shrubs with fluent foliage . We have some outstanding silver - leaved perennials , such asArtemisia(‘Silver Mound’and‘Valerie Finnis ’ ) andStachys(lambs ears ) , but not a woody bush .
That has all changed with the recent insertion of a native sageleaf willow tree cultivar calledIceberg Alley ™ . This piffling gemstone of a bush was discovered at theMemorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Botanical Gardenin Canada .
Iceberg Alley™ willow
Hardy to USDA Zone 2 , this bush will work for all northern gardeners . The very textural foliage feel hairy and soft , and has a adorable silverish chromaticity . As you’re able to see in the exposure , the leaf is longer than it is wide . The ash gray is apparent from the minute leave emerge in leaping through autumn , when they turn yellow ( unfortunately not a spectacular yellow-bellied ) and then eventually fall off .
Iceberg Ally sageleaf willow tree is comparatively pocket-sized , so it will fit in urban yards and foundation plantings . You could even expend it as a spectacular backdrop to your perennial garden . At maturity , it ’s 3 to 5 feet tall , with a spreading that is slightly larger than the height . It ask little pruning , unless you want to hold the height or spread . If that ’s the case , crop away , as it tolerates pruning well .
In spring , it give rise a pretty silvery catkin with red stamen that can be cut for other spring decoration . Iceberg Alley is a manlike plant , which produces pollen and nectar . Researchers in Canada find it to be a favorite of honeybees , bumblebees , syrphid flies and some butterfly stroke .
As with mostSalix , it tolerates moist soil but does not need them . It is well grow in a site that fetch about six hours of lineal sunlight daily . It has no major disease or pest issues . This shrub is very easy to grow . It is propagated via deal cuttings and is protected by a works stylemark .
Pair it in the foundation found withHydrangea paniculate , which blooms in mid- to recent summertime , or with other shrubs with leaf colors that will counterpoint with the silver . It seem specially striking next to shrubs with red to purple foliage , such as the many ninebarks on the market .
Introduced in 2019 , Iceberg Alley should be available in local garden mall this summertime and gloaming .
This clause byDebbie Lonneeoriginally appeared in the July / August 2020 exit ofNorthern Gardener . She work in the horticultural industry and gardens in South St. Paul .
