Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
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 Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 20-25 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 18-20 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Green, Yellow
- Flower Description
- Brown, Green, White, Yellow
- Bloom Time
- Late Winter to Early Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Bright Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Common Pussy Willow
- Botanical Name
- SALIX DISCOLOR
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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