Preferred common name: violet Willow Other common names: violet osier, bitter willow, basket willow Our Royal Horticultural Society violet Osier (Salix purpurea ) is a compact, erect to spreading & arching, deciduous small hedge. It produces slim, uprights, purplish branches bearing slender greygreen leaves, pointed at each end & paler beneath. Narrow, silverygrey catkins up to 1 14 cm long, males with violet to yellow anthers.