Willow Cuttings
Cutting sales will open on January 1st, 2025
Please note that the descriptions of these basketry willows is from my own experience and opinion. Varieties that do best for me, might not do best for you, depending on your climate and region. Willow is vigorous and hearty so it can grow in almost any conditions. Willowbrook is technically in a 5a zone but we are at approximately 1,700 feet above sea level so our altitude makes us colder. Sometimes willow will do well in one area of a field over another. Don’t give up just keep planting, just keep planting!
Please read the following before placing an order:
Orders will be taken on a first come first serve basis. I will fill the order and if a variety runs out I will reach out to offer up alternatives or the option to change your order. (Please note some varieties are more limited then others but we can work together to get an order you are satisfied with)
Shipping only to the USA. If you are in Canada please check out The Branch Ranch or Lakeshore Willows
Orders will not be shipped until payment is received. (Cash, Check or Venmo)
Orders are to be shipped or picked up when they become available or otherwise arranged. You may need to arrange cool storage for your cuttings until you are ready to plant in your zone. A refrigerator or unheated building will work. Make sure to keep the cuttings in the ziplock bag they arrive in. (Local pick up is available - We are located near Cooperstown NY, contact me to arrange). If you are in a zone that can plant earlier than March please let me know and I can make arrangements.
Cuttings are $2.00 each (10 -12 inches long) + shipping which will depend on the size of your order.
Shipping for 100 cuttings or less is $18.40 in a USPS Medium Flat Rate Box. I will do my best to get as many cuttings in each box that I can.
There is no Minimum per order, but a word to the wise would be to order more than 1 or 2 cuttings if you are not prepared to baby them from every animal or element possible. You are responsible for the suitable conditions and climate in which these plants will be grown. Cuttings purchased are NOT covered by any replacement or return policy.
Each order will come with an informational document on storing and planting your new willow cuttings.
Please be patient and kind when ordering as this is not my full time job. I can offer up suggestions for varities but I cannot tell you what will do best in your location. Please look at my descriptions and do some research on your own to make a selection.
Please make sure you have a space prepared to receive your willow cuttings. Willows needs to be planted in full sun with no weed competition. Again do your research and decide what method will be best for you. There are great books on willow and a wealth of information online! At Willowbrook, we use landscaping fabric.
Cuttings should be added directly into the soil, as there is no need to root them in a jar of water before you plant.
If you are a previous student of mine, be sure to remind me and you’ll get 20% off your order.
For orders of whole rod cuttings please reach out to disscuss.
Basketry Willows
Rubykins
S. koriyanagi “Rubykins”
Beautiful straight rods that dry yellowish orange. Leaves are the last to drop and shoots are first to appear in spring. Soaking can be tricky and bark sometimes flakes off, but totally worth the fuss. A personal favorite for its beauty overall.
Super excellent for living fences as well.
Streamco
****AVAILABLE 2026****
S. purpurea “Streamco”
One of the best basketry willows. Dries a soft greenish gold. Great weavers, especially for frame/rib work. Likes water and sprawls out looking to set new roots.
Green Edna
S. purpurea “Green Edna”
My absolute favorite willow! Great for all parts of a basket. Dries a beautiful green color. Very similar to Streamco but a special variety that comes from Lakeshore Willows.
Bleu
S. purpurea “Bleu”
Bleu is one of the best growers in my field. Can grow very big! Long, slender, straight and firm rods that are best when used for stakes in a basket. Dries a bluish, purplish dark grey. Also great for stripping and making white willow.
Packing Twine
****AVAILABLE 2026****
S. purpurea “Packing Twine”
Great basketry willow from Ireland. Slender and flexible rods that are great for all basketry uses. Dries light brown with a hit of pink blush. Mine all grow on the smaller side (3-4 foot) lengths which is the hardest to find size. Essential if you are a basketmaker.
Michigan Green
S. purpurea “Michigan Green”
Best grower for our location. Gorgeous straight rods that are great for basketry. I received this variety from Jo Campbell-Amsler who said it was discovered by Sandy Whalen in an old deserted willow patch in Michigan. Dries in a variety of brown, gold and green. Our plants provide a good selection of tall and short rods. If I had to pick only 1 willow to grow for basketry this would be it.
Americana
S. americana
From Dunbar Gardens. Great flexible basketry willow that dries red-ish gold color. An American hybrid between two varieties that grow wild in Eastern North America. A great addition to any native collection.
Flame
S. x “flame”
Stunning in the winter time when rods are bright orange/red. Fast growing and branchy but worth the effort to cut for basketry. Dries an orange/yellow. Rods should grow without branching in subsequent years. Used primarily as weaver for brilliant color accents.
Belgian Red
S. fragilis “Belgian Red”
Another great willow for highlights in basketry. Belgian Red actually dries very orange. A “softer” willow good for weavers, not recommended for stakes. (Very pithy) A vigorous grower providing a great range of sizes. A favorite among many.
Acutifolia
S. acutifolia
One of the most highly sought after. Brilliant matte black finish and lovely flexible weavers. Has a blue “bloom” on the skin when cut and dried. Another “soft” willow that is good for accents. Hard to grow and everything loves to eat it, but worth the struggle for the darker color in your baskets.
Frances Red
****LIMITED QUANTITIES****
S. purpurea “Frances Red”
Another special variety from Lakeshore Willows. Grows very large and fast, very similar to Bleu. Long, straight and firm rods for stakes and borders. Dries a beautiful blue/red/grey
Hutchinsons Yellow
S. x rubens “Hutchinsons Yellow”
Grows very big and branchy it’s first year but subsequent years should get less branchy. Bright yellow in the winter time, it is lovey to see in the snow. Dries a more mustard yellow. A “softer” willow for accents. I’m hoping it will be good for bark stripping too!
Purpurea X
S. purpurea
A super amazing fast growing and super straight variety. The bright green color is lovely and lasts through drying. Super flexible and super straight makes for great stakes. Grows big enough for hoops too.
Dasyclados (water willow)
S. Dasyclados
Very large fast growing willow. Good for living installations and known for Biomass. I hear it is great for bark stripping. Have not experimented with it in a whole rod basket yet. Large leaves that curl at the top. Imagine it would be good for hoops. Basketmakers need some willow that grows big.
Harrisons “B”
S. x rubra “Harrisons B”
Dries a lovely redish brown. I’m not too familiar with this variety but a known basketry willow. Looking forward to using some this year.
Gilgiana (winter willow)
S. gilgiana
Believed to be from Japan/Korea. Possible koriyanagi type like Rubykins. Slender leaves and grows long straight rods. Not too familiar with this type yet, but looking forward to using it in basketry.
Isabella
Unknown
A New York “wild willow” from the Gage Salicetum. A favorite wild-cultivated basketry willow used by basket makers, Teresa and Jean Gage. Dries a stunning red. A special offering from two very lovely ladies.
Americana X
S. purpurea “Americana X”
Grows large straight rods with good flexibility. All around great basketry willow. Dries a golden brown color. Can’t go wrong with this willow it’s quite perfect!
Fine Osier
S. x forbyana “Fine Osier”
A hybrid willow native of Western Europe. I’m not familiar with this variety yet but it looks promising.
Folk School
Possibly S. Viminalis or “Rubykins”
This is willow that I received from the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. We were not exactly sure of the type but this variety grows way too big and branchy in their warmer climate, so they allowed us to take some cuttings. In my more northern climate it grows beautifully. Super long straight rods. I’ve used it so far for making hoops. Looking forward to weaving with the slender rods this year.
Oka
****AVAILABLE 2026****
S. purpurea “Oka”
Another special variety from Lakeshore Willows. An old French basketry willow that was found on the grounds of Oka Abbey, Quebec. Dries a light brown and is great for all parts of basketmaking.
Vitellina
****LIMITED QUANTITIES****
S. alba “Vitellina”
Fast growing and large. Rods turn a bright yellow/organge/red during the winter time. Great for accents in basketry and peeling for bark. You wouldn’t need many of this variety. Also looks beautiful when cut to pollard. Also good for living fences.
Purpurea x Daphnoides
****AVAILABLE 2026****
S. purpurea x daphnoides
Doesn’t have a common name, but it’s a super great cross between two great basketry willows. This is a favorite among basket makers. Slender rods with good growth and flexible. Good for all parts of basket making. Can’t go wrong with this one!
Honey Willow
S. interior “Honey Willow”
A special wild-cultivated variety from basket maker, Anni (Instagram: zestinferna) This “soft” willow excels at zig zag weave and dries a very special peachy orange matte color. Also commonly known as “Sandbar Willow.” This willow has an uncommon trait of sending out suckers or underground expanding roots. So you will get Honey Willow everywhere around where you plant it. At Willowbrook we mow regularly and use fabric so spreading is at a minimum. We feel the more Honey Willows the better!
Brittany Green
****AVAILABLE 2026****
S. purpurea “Brittany Green”
This is my favorite willow for weavers, especially in rib/frame style work. Dries a variation of red, brown, green and orange. Straight and super flexible weavers. A little hard to grow in my area but they get more vigorous in subsequent years.
Dark Dicks
****AVAILABLE 2026****
S. purpurea “Dark Dicks”
A beautiful redish brown color. This variety is easy to grow, vigorous and nice flexible rods. This is an excellent choice for basketry overall.
Dicky Meadows
S. purpurea “Dicky Meadows”
A variety I received from Jo Campbell-Amsler. A super beautiful weaver especially for rib/frame style. For me it grows fine, slender, short and numerous. A great favorite of traditional basketmakers. Blush pink and green tones when it’s fresh.
Miyabeana
S. miyabeana
This willow grows huge and straight. I rarely get smaller size rods. As a basket maker I can depend on this variety for hoops and handles or ribs. Wonderful for bark stripping too because it won’t grow extremely branchy if left for subsequent years. A must have in my collection.
#187
S. purpurea #187
A vigorous and fast growing purpurea developed by SUNY Syracuse. Very good disease resistance and overall great for basketry. A hearty willow that you can depend on for good results.
Bixby (Silky Willow)
S. sericea sieky “Bixby”
Another great selection from the Gage Salicetum. North American native and one of the most attractive of the willows. Grows well and is a favorite of Teresa Gage. Still experimenting with it for basketry but the Gage ladies have been growing and using it for many years. Most likely great for stream bank restoration as it likes water and a must have for your native collection.
Ornamentals/Decorative
Mount Aso (pink pussy willow)
S. gracilistyla
An ornamental with pink pussy willows. Just keep in mind the pink disappears as they dry. Beautiful silvery fuzzy stems, a really sweet willow to grow for looks. Not good for basketry.
NY Wild Crumhorn
unknown
Found growing wild on Crumhorn Lake Rd in upstate NY this beautiful coral and yellow-ish willow grows huge and branchy. The rods work for basketry but you’d have to take time to cut all the side branches. Would be great for use in hedgerows.
Black Hungary
unknown
From the Gage Salicetum a stunning willow that grows with a matte black stem. Still experimenting if it is good for basketry, but it’s a beautiful willow that would look great in your garden or hedgerow. Grows well at Willowbrook.
Hakuro Nishiki (Dappled Willow)
S. integra “Hakuro Nishiki”
Probably the most famous ornamental found in most landscaping but actually wonderful for basketry too. The leaves are a beautiful mottled green and white with pink tips. Grows big and sometimes branchy so it’s great for privacy and looks.
Sekka (Japanese Fantail Willow)
S. udensis “Sekka”
A rare and very unique ornamental pussy willow that is excellent in floral designs. Sekka will grow very large if not cut back. The fasciated rods are so unusual it’s a fun willow to have in your landscape.
New Varieties in 2026
Please fill out the form below to place your order.
NOTE: I will not accept any orders unless they are placed on or after January 1st, 2025
Make sure to include the variety and how many you would like. (Please make sure to carefully read the details at the top of the page)
I will send an email confirmation once you place your order. If you do not see an email from me please check your SPAM FOLDER