Sapphire Willow

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 167 years old. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous sturdy, straight stems covered in very thick, rough, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is pine-coloured.

The branches are long, thin and wispy with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of tiny, long, tapering, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are bright blue and turquoise, frail and crispy.

In late summer it produces many small, silver blossoms with many layers of petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have the faintest scent that smells like honeysuckle.

In midwinter oval fruits ripen. The clammy hazel skin is peel-able and edible when boiled; it is bitter, and the slightly crunchy crimson flesh is spicy and powdery. The beige seeds are small and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.