Common Pussy Willow

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

20 - 25 Feet

Mature Spread

18 - 20 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Common Pussy Willow, or Salix Discolor, is a classic streamside willow that is an aggressive growing, weak-wooded, spring bloomer. This Pussy Willow stands at an impressive height of 20 to 25 feet tall, with a spread of 18 to 20 feet. In the earliest parts of spring, the Common Pussy Willow flowers with small tufts of soft, furry, yellow-tipped catkins. The fine coating of fluff on the shell of the bloom is there to insulate in the still-cold temperatures of early spring. These catkins produce heaps of pollen because they rely more on wind and not pollinators to facilitate their spread. 

Native to the United States and bred by American Beauties Native Plants, this landscaping staple attracts critical pollinators and butterflies with its early season nectar. Its massive growth also makes it an ideal cover for birds and small mammals. Pussy Willows are dioecious. The male plants produce fuzzy flowers, while the females bloom with hairy, curved, yellowish catkins.

Common Pussy Willow Care

Pussy Willows are incredibly resilient and can tolerate any soil, even those with poor drainage and excess water. You can maximize their potential by planting them in full to partial sun and placing them in areas with access to water. You should prune your Common Pussy Willows regularly and hard. This heavy pruning helps control size, as well as encourages fresh growth in the coming season. A great way to do this is to cut stems and bring them indoors to enjoy. The Common Pussy Willow is a common cut flower used by florists. 

Pussy Willows have deep, invasive roots that are difficult to garden beneath. Do not plant Pussy Willows near sewer lines or septic tank fields. They are vulnerable to aphids, tent caterpillars, borers, and spider mites. If you’re from the northwest, monitor your plants for signs of twig blight. In Texas, watch for signs of root rot. 

Common Pussy Willow Spacing

These Pussy Willows are great as screen plants, or erosion control of streams and river banks. Their flower catkins can be cut in bud and brought indoors to bloom. When planting, space plants 2 to 4 feet apart between each shrub. They will spread quickly, so give them plenty of space to grow.