Willows are often large trees, but these are dwarf plants, found on open mountains or in damp places, and well suited for cool places in a rock garden or in other places in the garden that do not dry out. Some spread outwards, rooting as they go, and if they go beyond their planned space, lift the shoots from the end, and cut them back.

Salix nakamurana is a creeping alpine willow, which sends its stems spreading, eventually widely, close to the ground. They are clothed with leaves that are silky hairy in the spring, and carry many 5 cm-tall upright catkins. It originates from the island of Hokkaido in Japan.