- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 20 - 25 Feet
- Mature Spread 20 - 25 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 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.
Common Pussy Willow Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 20 - 25 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 18 - 20 Feet |
| Spacing: 18 - 20 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Brown, Green, White, Yellow |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Bright Green |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Heat |
| Attracts: Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Native to North America |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Common Pussy Willow |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: SALIX DISCOLOR |
- SKU:
- 1231001159-pc
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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