5 Gallon
Light: Full Sun - Partial Sun
Soil: Wet-medium
Mature Height: 20 feet
Mature Width: 20 feet
Description: Pussy Willow is an iconic and well-loved herald of spring. The plants bud out in late winter, often when there is still snow on the ground, providing a valuable source of nectar and pollen to early spring pollinators! Pussy Willows are beautiful in the landscape as well as floral arrangements. The cottony seed is dispersed by wind or water. Leathery leaves fill in as the catkins and fruits fizzle out. The foliage makes a soft merge from green to muted yellow in the fall. This is a fast-growing plant, considered either a small tree or a large shrub, it often reaches 20 feet in height, especially in ideal sites. Pussy Willow is very adaptable but performs best in full sun and consistently moist soils. These conditions often promote a great deal of suckering and spreading, though. Trim this plant back every few years to limit such behavior; leave a few stems to harden off and mature at interval trimmings. This specimen has a short lifespan and renewal prunings can encourage its longevity within the landscape. Pussy Willow has dense, shallow roots that can wreak havoc on hardscapes such as pavement, sidewalks, sewage lines, or septic fields.
