Raup’s Willow: A Rare Canadian Native Worth Protecting
If you’re drawn to rare and unusual native plants, Raup’s willow (Salix raupii) might catch your attention. This lesser-known Canadian native represents both an opportunity and a responsibility for dedicated native plant gardeners.
What Makes Raup’s Willow Special
Raup’s willow is a perennial shrub that typically grows as a multi-stemmed woody plant, usually staying under 13 to 16 feet tall. Like other willows, it produces attractive catkins in spring that provide early-season nectar for pollinators when few other flowers are available.
This species is exclusively native to Canada, where it naturally occurs in Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Its northern distribution makes it exceptionally cold-hardy, likely thriving in USDA hardiness zones 1-4.
A Conservation Concern
Here’s where things get serious: Raup’s willow has a Global Conservation Status of S2, meaning it’s considered Imperiled. This classification indicates extreme rarity, with typically only 6 to 20 known occurrences and possibly just 1,000 to 3,000 individual plants remaining in the wild.
What this means for gardeners: If you’re interested in growing this species, you must ensure any plants come from responsibly sourced, legally propagated material—never from wild collection.
Garden Role and Growing Conditions
In the right setting, Raup’s willow could serve as:
- A conversation starter in specialized native plant collections
- An early pollinator plant in conservation gardens
- A unique specimen for cold-climate landscapes
Based on its native range in northern Canada, this willow likely prefers:
- Moist to wet soil conditions
- Full sun to partial shade
- Excellent cold tolerance
- Cool summer temperatures
Should You Plant Raup’s Willow?
The honest answer? Probably not, unless you’re a serious native plant conservationist with access to responsibly sourced plants. This species is incredibly rare, difficult to find, and may not be well-suited to most garden conditions outside its native range.
Instead, consider these more readily available native willow alternatives:
- Pussy willow (Salix discolor) – widely available and great for early pollinators
- Sandbar willow (Salix interior) – excellent for erosion control
- Black willow (Salix nigra) – fast-growing native tree
If You Do Find Raup’s Willow
Should you locate responsibly sourced plants through specialized native plant societies or botanical gardens, treat this rare species with extra care:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Provide consistent moisture without waterlogging
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Avoid fertilizers—native plants prefer lean soils
- Consider sharing seeds or cuttings with other conservation-minded gardeners
The Bottom Line
Raup’s willow represents the intersection of gardening and conservation. While it’s a fascinating native species that supports early pollinators, its rarity means most gardeners should admire it from afar and choose more common native alternatives. If conservation is your passion and you can source plants responsibly, growing this species becomes an act of stewardship rather than simple gardening.
Remember: the best way to help rare plants like Raup’s willow is often to protect their natural habitats and support the organizations working to conserve them.
