- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 10 - 12 Feet
- Mature Width 10 - 12 Feet
- Growing Zones 4-7
Black Cat® Pussy Willow (Salix chaenomeloides) is a large, striking shrub that produces fuzzy catkins in early spring. These catkins start out pink and silver and mature to a deep black. These provide great early spring interest while waiting for spring flowers to bloom.
This plant provides great cut flowers, or catkins. It also holds its color nicely when dried. It’s easy to grow and works well as a screen or border. It is native to Japan, Korea, and China, as opposed to Salix discolor, which is native to North America. This pussy willow is hardy in zones 4a-7b and has an upright growth habit.
Black Cat® Pussy Willow Care
Black Cat® Pussy Willow needs to be planted in full sun. It likes moist or wet soil so it is great to plant in those wet areas in the landscape. Water as often as needed to maintain proper soil moisture. Fertilize in the early spring with a slow-release balanced fertilizer.
Because the plant blooms on old wood, it should be pruned immediately after it blooms, to get it ready to bloom the following year.
Black Cat® Pussy Willow Spacing
Black Cat® Pussy Willow is a big shrub and can grow up to 10-12 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide, so make sure you plant it somewhere that it can spread out 10-13 feet without hitting another plant or a building.
Black Cat® Pussy Willow Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-7 |
Plant Type: Shrub |
Shrub Type: Deciduous |
Bloom Time: Early Spring |
Sunlight Exposure: Full Sun |
Mature Height: 10 - 12 Feet |
Mature Width: 10 - 12 Feet |
Mature Spacing: 10 - 13 Feet |
Growth Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Flower Shade: Silver-Black |
Seasonal Interest: Early Spring |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Resists: Deer |
Features: Cut Flowers, Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance |
Uses: Border Plant Cut Flower |
Plant Brand: Proven Winners |
Botanical/Scientific Name: Salix chaenomeloides 'Lubbers Zwart' USPP 27,403, Can 6,141 |
- SKU:
- SALBC
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.