Salix discolor (pussy willow) is a native shrub that becomes a large, multi-stemmed plant with a strong presence in the landscape. You will notice its soft, silky gray catkins in late winter to early spring, often before the leaves emerge, making it an easy seasonal highlight for cut stems and early-garden interest.

Give it full sun to part shade for best performance. In warmer, drier sites it appreciates consistent moisture, and it naturally fits along pond edges, swales, and other medium-to-wet areas where many shrubs struggle. Once established, it grows quickly and can be pruned hard after flowering to keep it dense and manageable.

At maturity it commonly reaches 240-300 inches tall and spreads broadly, so place it where its size and shallow roots are not a problem. For a smaller form, you can cut older stems back periodically and remove unwanted shoots to maintain a more shrub-like outline.

As a North American native, pussy willow supports early-season insects and provides seasonal cover. Pair it with other moisture-friendly natives to build a resilient, wildlife-leaning planting in sun or partial shade.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 4-7 (-30 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun
• Growth rate: Fast
• Mature height: 240-300"
• Spread: 216-240"
• Tolerant of: Wet Conditions
• Attracts: Butterflies
• Native to the U.S.: Yes

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