This creeping shrub has thick woody stems that darken with age, bright green leaves and thin cylindrical catkins in spring .  It is found above treeline in alpine tundra in North America, including the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, No. Europe, Russia and China.   Prefers cool sun to part shade and moist, acidic soil.  Very cold hardy to -40 degrees or more. Salicaceae

Creeping groundcover willow with large bright green leaves, mahogany colored stems and yellow catkins in spring .  Low growing but spreads fairly quickly so give it some space in the garden or grow it, as we do, in a large containers where it flows over the sides.  Very attractive.   Best in partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil.    Hardy to -10 degrees F.  Salicaceae

This interesting small shrub boasts eye catching silvery gray, heavily veined foliage and grows slowly to only about 12" high.  It develops a gnarled look giving it the appearance of great age and is valued as a bonsai, trough or alpine garden plant.   Grows best in cool sun or partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil.    Hardy to -10 degrees F.  Salicaceae

Originally identified around 1900 by British botanist William Boyd, a recent scientific paper published in the journal Watsonia suggests that it is a hybrid of more than two plants.  The author believes two of the parents are S. lapponum and S. herbacea, not S. reticulata as previously thought.  The author also suggests the possibility that this seedling originated in Boyd's garden where he likely grew other Salix species rather than in the wild although he has no direct evidence to support this claim.  Perhaps further genetic work can clarify this plant's origin.