Carolina Willow is a deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 20 feet. Its leaves are arranged alternately, featuring a serrated edge, a hairy stem, and a pale white underside. The bark is smooth and gray, adorned with scattered warts and horizontal lenticels. In the spring, it produces an abundance of small yellow flowers, and by summer, it bears an egg-shaped capsule.
The Coastal Plain Willow thrives in nutrient-deficient soils and is particularly suited to wet environments such as thickets and swamps. It flourishes along stream banks and near ponds, often found in natural settings like riverbanks, sandbars, interdune ponds, and canal banks. While it can tolerate some salt spray due to its proximity to saltwater, it should be shielded from direct exposure by surrounding vegetation. This species is not drought-resistant and requires consistently moist soil conditions. Propagation can be achieved through seeds or cuttings, including root cuttings.
Although it shares some characteristics with the native Black Willow, the two can be distinguished by their leaves; S. caroliniana has broader leaves with a whitish underside.
Live stakes are frequently available for planting.
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