Pussy Willow
Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
Pussy willow is a fast-growing, native tree or large shrub with a rounded crown. It offers a welcome sign of the coming spring when its furry silver catkins open on bare branches. The trunks of pussy willows are typically clustered with a strong upright form that provides good cover and nesting sites for a variety of birds. This clonal plant spreads by rhizome and can form dense thickets. Native to wetlands, marsh edges and river bottoms, pussy willows thrive in moist to wet areas where many other species would struggle.
Why are they fuzzy anyway? Those fuzzy little nubs are just flowers before they fully bloom- the soft coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect the early blooming buds!
Pussy willows are dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers are on different plants. Only male plants have the classic little silver nub catkins, but females also have funky green or yellow catkins that resemble caterpillars. If fruit capsules/ seeds are wanted, be sure to have multiple within range for wind pollination.
Bare root, 2-3'
Sourced from Michigan
| Mature height (ft) | 8-15 |
| Mature spread (ft) | 4-8 |
| Sun preference | Full sun |
| Native/non-native* | Native |
| Soil type preference | Loam, clay, sand |
| Soil moisture preference | Moist, well-drained |
| Bloom | April |
| Pollination | Not self-pollinating, need both male and female within range to produce seed capsules |
| Zone | 3-8 |
| pH | 6.8-7.2 |
| Wildlife benefit | Habitat and food source, attracts pollinators |
| Uses | Erosion control, Hedge, rain garden, ornamental |
| Resistance/tolerance | Salt tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, tolerates occasional flooding, tolerates walnut |
*Non-native is not inherently negative; non-native species refers to any species living outside of its natural range and can have neutral, positive, or negative impacts. Invasive species are a non-native species that spread aggressively and cause harm to the environment, economy and/or human health. Many non-native species have naturalized and fill a beneficial niche in the ecosystem.
Resources
Pussy willow, The Morton Arboretum
Salix discolor, Native Plant Trust
Salix discolor, Plant Database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center The University of Texas at Austin
What are Pussy Willows, Anyway?, Garden Stories, Brooklyn Botanic Garden