Plant Details

Salix discolor

Pussy Willow

Please register or login to build your personal plant list.

Pussy Willow has attractive early spring blooming “furry” flowers resembling a tiny cat’s paw.

See Details Below

Description:

Pussy Willow is a medium to large multi-branching deciduous shrub or small tree. It features soft “furry” catkins resembling a tiny cat’s paw. These silver “paws” are actually flowers. The “fur” insulates and protects the flowers on this early spring bloomer. This dioecious species has male and female catkins that grow on separate trees. Male trees produce showier, fuzzy silver catkins that bloom earlier than catkins on female trees. Petalless male flowers consisting of green stamens and yellow anthers house the pollen. The female flowers are less conspicuous with greenish-yellow styles and stigma. Flowers are wind pollinated. Pussy Willow is a wetlands plant. Its native habitat includes wet meadows, wet woods, swamps, lakesides and stream banks; it is occassionally found growing in upland, drier areas. It prefers rich loamy soil with a high pH (alkaline). It prefers full sun but tolerates light shade. Roots will sucker and spread. Prune hard to grow as a hedge. It is easily propagated through stem cuttings. For best results, plant in wet areas of your yard with consistently moist soil. Deer may browse the branches, and birds and squirrels may eat the buds. This is a fast growing, yet short-lived plant. If you have the right conditions, Pussy Willow will provide much delight and beauty in your yard.

Wildlife Value: Songbirds and waterfowl eat the buds. Host plant for caterpillars of Mourning Cloak and Viceroy butterflies.

Plant Details: