Pussy willow (Salix discolor) 2026

Native shrub/small tree with fuzzy catkins appear before leaves in late winter.  Flowers are yellow stamens with green styles that bloom time February -March.  Grows 20’ tall 18′ wide.  Prune back every few years.

Prefers: Full sun to partial shade, tolerates wet locations. 

Benefits: Wildlife-Early season harvest for songbirds, waterfowl and small mammals.
Attracts butterflies, and is a larval host for 2, the Mourning Cloak and the Viceroy. Special value to honey bees and native bees including bumble bees.

Willow is dioecious, meaning the two sexes have difference ``houses'' (ie different plants). The two genders are different in color, the male flower is fluffy, yellow to off-white, and the female flower is green

 (The young trees that I am growing haven't flowered yet- so I do not know if they are male of female).