Master Gardener Corner: Pussy Willows
Originally Published: March 10, 2015
No plant heralds spring quite like the Pussy Willow. The large flower buds burst open to expose
the familiar silky, silvery-gray, furry catkins while most plants are still dormant. The North
American pussy willow, Salix discolor, is native to Canada, the eastern United States and south
to Maryland, Indiana, Missouri and Iowa. Its European equivalent is Salix caprea, commonly
called “goat willow.” Goat willow has escaped cultivation and naturalized in parts of eastern
North America.
Like all plants in the willow (Salix) genus, pussy willows are dioecious, meaning individual plants
are either male or female. The flowers are called catkins and contain numerous tiny flowers.
The b uds on the male pussy willow look different and are usually showier than those on the
female willow. Flowers bloom on bare stems before the leaves appear. If growing this plant as
an ornamental, make sure to purchase a male plant which will produce the showy catkins.
Since pussy willows bloom earlier than other
plants, they provide pollen and nectar for
native bees very early in the season. The blue-
green leaves are a larval food source for
mourning cloak and viceroy butterflies.
Finches, grouse and cardinals find the flower
buds tasty. If planted in dense clumps, this
multi-stemmed shrub provides good cover and
nesting sites for a variety of birds. Deer also
like to eat the branches of pussy willows.
In their native habitat pussy willows grow in
wet environments which make them ideal for a poorly drained area in the landscape. Shallow
roots may clog sewers or drains and make gardening underneath the plants difficult so be
careful where you plant them. They can be grown in nearly any backyard with sufficient
moisture but they are intolerant of dry soils. They do best in full sun but tolerate partial shade.
Pussy willows are considered a small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub that can grow up to 30 feet
tall. Their appearance can become rather unkempt if left alone. Annual pruning will help keep
them healthy. Prune as needed after the catkins have dropped, but before leaves start to
appear. Take out one third of the older stems each year. Cut the remaining stems back to the
desired height. Plants may be cut to the ground every 3 to 5 years to maintain a smaller shrub
size. Pruning promotes vigorous new branches on the bushes which will produce larger catkins.
This also encourages new shoots to emerge from the roots. Plants may be regularly cut back
for use as a hedge. Stems with catkins may be cut in spring for indoor arrangements.
This article is part of a weekly series published
in the Batavia Daily News by Jan Beglinger,
Agriculture Outreach Coordinator for CCE of
Genesee County.
Pussy willows provide pollen and nectar early in the season
Willows are among the easiest of all plants to root from cuttings. Semi-hardwood or hardwood
stem cuttings and root cuttings will root readily in any well-drained media without hormone
treatment. Rooted pussy willow branches can be planted in the landscape when the roots are 3
to 4 inches in length and after the threat of frost is past. Keep them well watered throughout
the summer.
There are a number of ornamental pussy willows that gardeners may
be interested in trying. Weeping Pussy Willow (Salix caprea ‘Pendula’)
is an ideal cultivar for that wet spot in the yard. This small, umbrella-
shaped tree adds interest in the spring when it explodes into yellow-
white pussy willow blossoms. It typically grows to 8 feet in height and 6
feet in width and it prefers full to partial sun and medium moisture.
Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
Japanese Fantail Willow (Salix udensis ‘Sekka’) is an ornamental willow
most noted for its flattened and contorted branches which are
sometimes used in floral arrangements. In early spring silvery-gray, 1.5
inch long male catkins with yellow anthers appear along reddish-purple
stems before the foliage emerges. A multi-stemmed shrub or small
tree it typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall with an upright, spreading habit.
Hardy in zones 4 to 7.
There are a number of pussy willows that boast pink catkins. Salix chaenomeloides ‘Mt Asama’
has catkins that emerge deep burgundy and silver and the pussy willow flowers are soft pinkish-
red and 2 to 3 inches in length. ‘Rubykins’ (Salix koriyanagi ‘Rubykins’) has adorable miniature
ruby pink catkins on blonde wood. Salix discolor ‘rosea’ has pale pink catkins.
Black pussy willow (Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’) has rich purple-black catkins with
contrasting red anthers and dark stems. It is perfect as a cut flower or a conversation piece in
the garden.
If you decide to plant a pussy willow in your yard beware that they are susceptible to numerous
foliar diseases, blights and cankers as well as many insect pests including aphids, scale and
borers. But the sight of fuzzy pussy willows in the earliest part of spring may just be worth it.
Sources for this article: Iowa State University, Missouri Botanical Garden and Washington State
University.
Pendula, or Kilmarnock Willow
Source: WSU Clark County
Extension
