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  • Salix Nancy Saunders sale size at The Old Dairy Nursery
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purple willow

Salix purpurea 'Nancy Saunders'

Salix purpurea 'Nancy Saunders'

$29.99 USD
$29.99 USD
Sale Sold out
  • SPRING 2025 PRE-ORDER

PLEASE KNOW: Plants shipped in early spring will likely arrive in a dormant state.

Our plants overwinter outdoors where they follow the natural rhythms of the season. We never force our plants to break dormancy early. Admittedly, early-leaf-out is customer pleasing, but it is bad practice both for the long-term health of the plant and for the environment. Plants shipped in early spring will very likely not be in full leaf. We grow in a cold area (zone 5), which means that customers in warmer climates will likely receive plants behind their own garden schedule. Not to worry though, healthy plants catch up quickly. Read more about Our Sustainable Practices here.

Salix is the botanical name for Willow. Willows are woody plants that range in size from enormous weeping willows to small, creeping groundcovers. Almost all willows are easy to grow in moderate to wet soils in full sun. They grow naturally along waterways and make excellent candidates for erosion control or bank stabilization. Cut stems are extremely versatile: use them for cut flower arrangements, hedges, living structures, woven fences, or basket making.

Willows are, unfortunately, prone to a large number of pests and diseases and are not generally long lived, but cuttings root extremely easily, guaranteeing a fresh supply.

'Nancy Saunders', or purple willow, is an small, elegant variety with deep red stems and blue-green leaves. Grey catkins are small but lovely. Prune just after flowering in spring to maintain a smaller size and a nice supply of straight branches.

Zones: 4 to 8
Family: Salicaceae
Type: Deciduous Shrub
Height: 6 to 12 feet naturally; 4 to 5 feet when coppiced
Spread:
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Condition: Medium to Wet
Bloom Time: March to April

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  • Salix Nancy Saunders sale size at The Old Dairy Nursery

  • Special Characteristics:

    • Deer-resistant
    • Juglone tolerant
    • Fast-growing
    • Winter interest
    • Beautiful bark
    • Glaucous foliage


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ordering information

PREORDERS

You may place your order anytime to reserve plants for spring 2025 shipment. If you place multiple orders, we will combine plants into one box (or as many as needed) and any extra shipping charges will be refunded when we ship.

We will begin shipping plants as soon as plants begin to emerge from dormancy in spring. Woodies will likely begin shipping in April. Perennials will likely begin shipping in May. If ordering multiple varieties, we will hold until all plants are ready to ship together. If you would like to receive plants sooner please reach out.

We will check in with you a week before shipping to make sure you receive your plants at a time that is convenient for you.

SHIPPING

Live plants ship in spring and fall only. Plants may ship dormant, depending on variety and season. Shipping costs are most reasonable when bundling like size plants.

  • 4-inch: 1-6 plants ship for $15.00 / 7-13 plants ship for $18.00 / 14-30 plants ship for $40.00
  • 1-gal: 1-2 plants ship for $18.00 / 3-4 plants ship for $25.00 / 5-6 plants ship for $40.00
  • trees & shrubs: $27.00-$40.00 each, height dependent

We regret that we cannot ship internationally or to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA.

Read more about our shipping policies here.

NURSERY PICK-UP

Plants can be collected from the nursery Monday through Sunday from 10am-4pm in Spring, Summer, and Fall. We prefer 24 hour notice to get your order together and will email you when ready for collection.

If you place a SPRING 2025 PREORDER, we will contact you in spring when your plants are ready for collection. Woodies will likely become available for collection in April. Perennials will likely become available in May. If ordering multiple varieties, we will hold until all plants are ready to be collected together.

PLANT SIZES

We most commonly use the following pot sizes for perennials:

  • 4-inch pot: 3.5" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
  • 2-quart pot: 6" H x 5.25" W x 5.25" D
  • 1-gallon pot: 6.87" H x 8" Dia (this is a true one gallon pot, not the smaller 'trade' one gallon pot used by many nurseries)

Check out our illustrated pot size guide here.

Representative trees & shrubs are photographed in their pots and posted on each plant page.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at The Old Dairy. We grow all of our plants outdoors without the use of chemicals, fertilizers, carbon fuels, or peat.

Many of our perennials are grown in the ground and dug upon order (this is especially true for larger sizes). This practice allows us to grow stronger, healthier plants using native soil, and ultimately reduces our impact on the environment.

Our open-pollinated seeds are collected from plants in our mother beds, which have never been treated with chemicals or sprays of any kind.

Read all about our sustainable practices here.

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