This mounding shrub in the Willow family typically grows about 4 feet tall with ascending, yellowish-brown branches and gray-green to blue-green foliage. It prefers drier soils than other willows and spreads easily to form a multi-stemmed shrub that is often wider than it is tall. The fast-growing plant attracts birds and has special value for native bees early in the season. 
 
Native habitats include prairies and savannas; woodlands; boggy openings in pine woods; low areas in prairies; and dry barrens.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 4-8' tall and wide and up to 10' in ideal conditions.
 
Grows in full or part sun.
 
Prefers soils that are loamy, gravelly, or sandy but adapts to a range of average to dry soils.
 
Blooms between March and May with silver or greenish catkins before leaves emerge. Brown fruits follow.
 
Alternate, simple, deciduous, lance-shaped leaves are up to 4" long. 
 
Reproductive System: Male and female flowers are present on separate plants (dioecious). Occasionally, male and female flowers may be present on the same plant. Site plants within 50 feet of each other. 
 
Wildlife Value:
Host plant for 328 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including viceroy and acadian hairstreak butterflies, creamy duskywing skipper, and specialist connected dagger moth. Bees use the nectar to produce high-quality honey. Dense thickets provide good wildlife cover. Rabbits and deer eat twigs, leaves and shoots.
 
Resources:
Grows Native!: https://grownative.org/native_plants/prairie-willow/
 
Lady Bird Johnsons Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sahu2
 
Prairie Moon: http://prairiemoon.com/salix-humilis-prairie-willow#panel-descrip