SALIX DISCOLOR / PUSSY WILLOW

SALIX DISCOLOR / PUSSY WILLOW

A Native Shrub with Striking Catkins and Early Spring Interest

Salix discolor, commonly known as Pussy Willow, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its soft, silvery catkins that appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist to wet soils, Pussy Willow is ideal for naturalized landscapes, wetland edges, and wildlife gardens. Its unique early-season blooms and rapid growth make it a valuable native shrub.

Why Choose Pussy Willow?

Early Spring Interest: Silvery catkins emerge before foliage, providing early color and texture.
Wildlife Friendly: Catkins provide an important nectar source for early pollinators; dense stems offer bird cover.
Wet-Site Tolerant: Thrives in moist or wet soils, including stream banks and pond edges.
Low Maintenance & Hardy: Adaptable, fast-growing, and resilient in native landscapes.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green, narrow lance-shaped leaves; yellow to gold in fall.
Flower Color: Silvery catkins appearing in early spring.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 6–15 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–7.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist to wet soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy conditions.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 6–15 feet tall, 6–15 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7.
Flowering: Early spring silvery catkins.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn yellow in autumn.

Ideal Uses:

Riparian & Wetland Plantings: Excellent for pond edges, streams, and low-lying wet areas.
Naturalized Landscapes: Forms attractive thickets and informal plantings.
Wildlife Gardens: Provides early-season nectar and cover for birds and pollinators.
Cut Flower Arrangements: Catkins are popular in spring floral designs.

Pussy Willow is a visually striking and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its soft early spring catkins, rapid growth, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, wetland edges, and pollinator-friendly gardens.