Gardening information for Willow Dock - Rumex salicifolius

1. Willow Dock – Rumex salicifolius var. salicifolius (ROO-mex sal-iss-ih-FO-lee-us)
Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
Native to: Western N. America from AK to Baja. Locally, native in western Los Angeles County, the
Channel Islands and San Gabriels; sandy/rocky moist places, especially coastal, up to 6500 ft.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-5 ft.
Low-growing to sprawling herbaceous perennial with thick, rather succulent stems and leaves.
Leaves simple, elongated (like a willow leaf) and blue-green; stems may be red-tinged. Leaves
most dense at the base; many side branches.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms late spring to summer (April to July) in western L.A. County. Flowers in
open spikes above the foliage. Flowers typical for the genus, bright pink fading to green-pink.
Seed ‘pods’ dark red-brown. Both flowers and seedpods are very showy.
Uses in the garden: Best used in naturally moist areas of the garden: rain gardens, vegetated
swales, around ponds and pools, etc. Here, it adds interest to rushes, sedges and other wetland
species. Good for habitat gardens, containers. Informal look – not for the manicured garden.
Young leaves and stems can be boiled and eaten in small quantities. Used also as medicinal plant
for constipation and as a salve or power for sores, rashes.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native pond-side plants.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Any well-drained soil; likes soils rich in organic matter.
Water Needs moist soil for at least through the end of flowering; Water Zone 2-3 to 3.
Fertilizer Fine with half-strength fertilizer; fertilize yearly if in container.
Other Loves leaf mulch.
Management: Prune back as needed in winter. Not too demanding.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed by cuttings/divisions: fairly easy, winter/early spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 10, 13 1/28/15
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