Willow 'Pussy'

Willowbrook Nurseries Inc.

$29.99
Title

Salix discolor is beloved for its iconic, silky-soft catkins that emerge like tiny, silver-furred pearls along slender, reddish-brown stems while snow is often still on the ground. These "pussy willows" transition into a delicate golden-yellow as they bloom, providing a soft, glowing texture to your garden. Once the floral show is over, the shrub fills out with lush, bright green leaves that feature cool, silvery-white undersides, creating a shimmering, two-toned effect in the summer breeze.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

6–25 feet tall; 4–15 feet wide

Zone:

2-8

Watering:

High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Fast

Light:

Full Sun/Part Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

American Pussy Willow, Glaucous Willow, Silver Willow

Scientific Name:

Salix discolor

Type:

Native Ornamental Shrub / Wetland Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically 6–15 feet tall and 4–12 feet wide; can reach 25–30 feet in ideal conditions.
  • Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed upright shrub or small tree.
  • Form: Open, rounded crown.
  • Growth Rate: Fast.
  • Longevity: Short-lived (typically 20–30 years).

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun preferred; tolerates light shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Thrives in fertile, humus-rich, damp soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Adapts to sand, loam, or heavy clay.
  • Watering: High; do not allow to dry out.

Special Features:

Native species; early pollinator magnet; extremely fast-growing; stems are prized for indoor floral arrangements.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Silvery-gray furry catkins in late winter/early spring before leaves appear.
  • Fall Colour: Greenish-yellow to muted yellow.
  • Bark: Smooth and gray on young stems, becoming dark and furrowed with age.
  • Fruit: Small capsules containing cottony seeds released in late spring.

Garden Value:

Essential for naturalized areas, rain gardens, and erosion control on banks or pond margins.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Critical early-season food source for bees and butterflies; host plant for Mourning Cloak and Viceroy butterflies.
  • Human Value: High decorative value for spring bouquets; useful for bank stabilization and privacy hedges.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or Autumn.
  • Spacing: 5–10 feet apart depending on use (closer for hedges).
  • Location Tips: Avoid planting near septic lines, sewers, or sidewalks as roots are aggressive and water-seeking.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; prefers full sun for best catkin production.
  • Moisture Requirements: High; needs consistently moist to wet soil.
  • Maintenance: Fast-growing and short-lived; should be cut back heavily (stooled) every 3–5 years to encourage vigorous new growth and more catkins.
  • Fertilization: Minimal needs; top-dress with compost or leaf mold in fall, or use a balanced fertilizer after the first year.

Tolerances:

Tolerates wet soil, flooding, clay, and urban pollution.

Tips For Success:

Plant male specimens for the showiest catkins. Prune after flowering to enjoy the buds while keeping the shrub compact.

Fruit Profile