How to Grow and Care for Pussy Willow

Salix caprea, S. cinerea, S. discolor

If you’re searching for a plant to bring life to your garden as soon as spring begins, look no further than pussy willow.

These shrubs or small trees are the most reliable harbinger of spring and are covered in silky, silvery blossoms during the season’s earliest days.

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In addition, pussy willows are incredibly cold hardy and grow very quickly.

Their one vital requirement is consistent soil moisture. If you’ve got that, give this wetland staple a try in your landscape.

In our guide to growing willows, we discuss the cultivation requirements for the most popular Salix species. In this article, we’ll talk specifically about pussy willow.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

What Is Pussy Willow?

Members of the Salicaceae family, there are three main species commonly known by the name pussy willow: Salix caprea, S. cinerea, and S. discolor.

The first two are widely distributed Eurasian species, the latter is native to and found growing wild across northern North America.

Although these three species are native to very different regions, they bear striking resemblance to one other in both form and ecological function.

All three species have grayish-green, ovate leaves, are quick growing, with straight stems, smooth, gray bark, and, of course, stunning, silver flowers in spring.

They also all inhabit wetland areas in their native regions where they serve as important food sources for different insects, such as caterpillars.

Importantly, S. cinerea has recently been listed as an invasive species in certain parts of North America. Once mature, this shrub can be distinguished from the other species commonly known as pussy willow by the ridges, also known as fluting, on its otherwise smooth bark.

S. cinerea also grows about twice as high as S. caprea and S. discolor, topping out at 25 feet.

If you decide to bring pussy willow to your garden or backyard, choose one of the other two, non-weedy species.

S. caprea is also known as goat willow, presumably because the flowers bear some resemblance to a billy goat’s beard. This species has broader leaves than the other two and is often sold in nurseries under the common name French pussy willow.

S. discolor has longer, pointier leaves than S. caprea.

Both of these moisture-loving species grow to a maximum height of about 15 to 25 feet tall and are hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9. Owing to their quick-growing nature, both also have weak wood that fragments and breaks quite easily.

If you live in North America, I recommend growing native S. discolor in your garden.

This species is an important food source for a plethora of beneficial insects, such as the viceroy butterfly, which uses pussy willow as a larval host for its caterpillars.

Mammals such as muskrats love the tender stems and leaves of these plants and won’t generally do too much damage so long as you have other plants growing in the vicinity that they can feed on as well.

Ground-nesting birds such as ducks and grouse depend on the catkins and buds for food in winter and early spring.

In short, pussy willow, particular S. discolor, creates a real smorgasbord for wildlife.

If your main reason for growing this plant is to have an ample supply of early spring blossoms, make sure you purchase a male specimen.

Pussy willows are dioecious, which means that there are separate male and female plants – and the blooms are not the same. You may not be able to tell which sex is which, so if in doubt, bring home a few and hopefully you’ll get lucky.

If you can inspect the plants in the nursery yard while they’re in bloom, choose those with the soft, silver blossoms, as these are the males.

The females have green catkins which are beautiful in their own way, but not as showy.

Despite being wind pollinated, both sexes produce both nectar and pollen, and are frequently visited by early-season insects, like bumblebees.

Keep reading to learn how to get this spring bloomer established in your own garden.

Pussy Willow Propagation

Pussy willow can be grown from transplants or cuttings. All plants in the Salix genus famously root very readily from cuttings.

In fact, commercially available rooting hormone is a synthetic version of indole-3-butyric acid, a compound willows produce naturally.

Most nursery-grown plants have been started via cuttings.

Conversely, the seed is very difficult to germinate.

The seed is only viable for a handful of days at best, which makes growing pussy willow from seed an endeavor best left to the professionals.

Cuttings

The easiest, and most cost effective way to propagate pussy willow is to take cuttings in early spring.

First, select a 12-inch-long, straight, flexible twig from new growth. Using clean, sharp pruners cut this piece off at a 45-degree angle.

Next, you have two choices. You can opt to plant this new cutting straight into moist ground and let it root on its own, in the permanent spot where you want the plant to grow.

The soil has to stay pretty wet for at least six weeks for this to work. If you’re attempting to grow pussy willow around the damp edges of a pond, planting a bunch of cuttings is an efficient way to grow dense cover for wildlife.

Alternatively, you can start your cuttings in pots. Bury the cut end three to four inches deep in a four-inch or larger pot filled with moist potting soil.

The advantage of this method is you can keep a watchful eye out for any critters that like to nibble on the soft, succulent growth of young tips. The downside is you will have to water your cuttings every day.

If you choose to grow your cuttings in pots, place them in a sheltered location outside where they won’t be exposed to any extreme temperature fluctuations.

It also helps to keep them out of bright sun so the soil doesn’t dry out too quickly.

Filling a baking tray with an inch of water and placing the pots in the water will help the potting soil continually wick up moisture and stay hydrated.

Roots should start to grow in four to six weeks, at which point, new leaves will begin to emerge. When you see new growth, your cuttings can be planted in the ground by following the directions below.

Transplants

Planting pussy willow as a potted transplant is the quickest way to establish a mature specimen in your garden.

Make sure you choose a location with consistently moist soil and full to part sun.

Dig a hole as wide and the same depth as the container your pussy willow is currently growing in.

Gently remove the plant from its pot, and place it in the ground at the same level as it was in the original container. Backfill with soil and water in well.

How to Grow Pussy Willow

There’s not a whole lot of hard work to be done when it comes to growing pussy willow.

As long as you choose a spot with consistently moist to wet soil in full sun to part shade, your shrub will be happy.

If you have a pond, marsh, or rain garden that doesn’t stay dry for long periods of time, give these areas a try!

These shrubs will tolerate a variety of soil types, as long as the ground stays consistently damp. An ideal pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is preferred but more important is consistent moisture.

Don’t allow the soil to dry out and water when the surface is just dry to the touch.

Bear in mind pussy willow has fairly fragile wood that will snap in strong wind, so be sure to plant them somewhere you won’t have to do constant clean up.

Allowing small branches to break down naturally feeds insects and the soil. A little mess is a good thing!

Species in the Salix genus also tend to have very aggressive, fast spreading roots, so make sure you don’t grow them near foundations, driveways, or underground pipes where they could cause damage.

Growing Tips

• Plant in moist soils and maintain even moisture.
• Site in a location with full sun or a little shade.
• Choose a spot where the roots won’t disrupt foundations or underground pipes.

Pruning and Maintenance 

S. discolor and S. caprea are the laidback gardener’s dream. These two species will flourish with no demands beyond consistently moist soil.

However, if you want to keep your pussy willows neat and tidy, try cutting them back every three to five years. Generally speaking, the species in this vigorous genus don’t mind a hard prune.

These plants must be pruned during the winter when they are dormant, otherwise the branches will exude prolific amounts of sap.

To begin, cut away any dead, misshapen, or crossing branches using a sharp, clean, pruning saw. Try to remove these branches as close to the main trunk as possible.

Next, remove the largest and oldest branches. This will encourage new, more floriferous growth to emerge in the spring.

Pussy Willow Species and Cultivars to Select

There’s not a whole lot of variety to choose from in the pussy willow world. Typically, the straight species plants provide the most ecological value for wildlife.

S. discolor

You can find S.discolor, the North American native species, available at Nature Hills Nursery.

S. caprea

Nature Hills also carries S. caprea plants in #3 containers.

There are a couple of cultivars available if you’d like something a little bit different:

Rosea

S. discolor ‘Rosea’ is an attractive cultivar that retains all the delightful traits of the species plant but boasts rose-pink male flowers come spring.

‘Rosea’

Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9, pink pussy willow is available from Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

Pendula

S. caprea ‘Pendula’ aka weeping French pussy willow, reaches a maximum height of eight feet and grows in a single-trunked, upright, fountain shape.

Maintaining the weeping form does require consistent yearly pruning, but, other than that, it’s just as easy to care for as the straight species. Give it a try in USDA Zones 4 to 9.

‘Pendula’

You can find plants available at Nature Hills Nursery. 

Managing Pests and Disease

Although growing pussy willow is pretty straightforward, these species are the unfortunate victims of quite a few pests and diseases.

But keep in mind when growing native plants, some insect damage should always be expected.

After all, you want local wildlife to utilize the plants in your garden however they see fit. Building this kind of edible, usable habitat for wildlife is the name of the native plant game.

Below are a few pathogens that can really be damaging to these plants. These are the ones to keep an eye out for.

Insects

Species in the Salix genus are among the most important species for native insects.

Many species of creepy crawlies munch on the leaves of different types of willows and, for the most part, that’s good!

But there are a couple that could spell trouble for your tree.

Aphids

Purportedly, there are over 120 species of aphids that feed on these plants.

You probably already know these garden pests are pretty indiscriminate when it comes to their diet, but willows really are one of their favorite dishes.

Aphids are small, squishy, green, brown, black, or pale yellow insects that feed by piercing soft plant tissues with long, straw-like mouthparts.

Sucking out nutrients and water from their hosts, they cause leaf curl, shoot dieback, and lay the groundwork for all sorts of other diseases like sooty mold.

Salix plants produce an abundance of sap and as a result, aphid populations can explode rapidly when they feed on these small trees.

Remember, as an important player in the ecosystem, pussy willow will attract all sorts of other wildlife which may feed on aphids, such as ladybugs, spiders, or even sparrows and warblers.

Before you break out the insecticides, inspect your plant to see if it’s managing to keep the infestation at bay on its own. Watch and see if any wildlife is enjoying the banquet.

Willow Borer

The white larvae of this small, knobbly, brown and black weevil cause branch and crown dieback in many trees, including willows.

Adult willow borers (Sternochetus lapathi) chew slits in the bark and lay clusters of tiny eggs.

After hatching, the larvae tunnel into the cambium, restricting nutrient and water transfer from the roots to the canopy.

Coarse wood shavings and sap leaking from the holes in the bark are good clues you have a borer infestation on your hands.

The pupae grow inside the plant, emerging as adults in the fall. This next generation lays more eggs and the cycle continues.

Currently, there are no pesticides specifically registered to control this pest. If you want to pursue chemical control, speak to a licensed professional about your options.

Harvesting and burning the infested portions of the tree can help decrease the number of insects in your landscape.

Although willows can withstand aggressive pruning, a severely weakened specimen may not be able to bounce back so proceed with caution and consult an arborist if the infestation is severe.

Disease

Plant your pussy willows in full sun and moist soil and they will thrive, grow strong, and for the most part, be able to manage any diseases that come their way.

Below are a few that can cause serious trouble.

Cytospora Canker

The fungus Cytospora chrysosperma typically gains entry into plant tissue via wounds on the trunk or branches. An infection first appears as darkened, sunken lesions on the bark.

These lesions can spread, forming large rotten areas called cankers that may ooze sap and feel soft to the touch.

As the fungus produces spores, yellowish protrusions emerge from the canker. This is often when gardeners first notice this disease. It’s also, sadly, very difficult to control cytospora canker at this late stage.

If you happen to catch this disease as it is just beginning, use a clean, sharp pair of pruners to cut away any infected branches.

Cut well below the lesion and scrub your pruners with rubbing alcohol in between each cut to make sure you’re not spreading any fungal spores.

Unfortunately, this practice doesn’t often work as the fungus is already abundant throughout the plant and in the nearby environment.

Fortunately, this disease is usually only fatal in specimens that are already stressed from inadequate water, crowding, or mechanical injury. Make sure to plant your pussy willows in a spot they’ll love!

Bacterial blight 

This condition is caused by several canker-causing bacterial species in the Pseudomonas genus.

In the first year, the infection creates cankers similar in appearance to those produced by Cytospora.

Overwintering within the canker, the pathogens emerge in spring and infect young twigs and buds, causing new foliage to go limp and turn brown.

Bacterial blight can be controlled using the same methods mentioned above, however, pruning can and often does serve to spread this trouble making disease.

As an alternative, you can use copper fungicide. Apply your chosen product generously all over the plants prior to them leafing out.

Bonide Copper Fungicide

You can find Bonide Copper Fungicide available from Arbico Organics.

Make sure when using any chemicals to always follow all directions on the label very carefully.

Willow Blight

Willow blight is a sometimes fatal disease caused by infection by two different pathogens.

Black canker is a fungal infection caused by Glomerella miyabeana that creates, you guessed it, squishy, black cankers on damaged bark.

The spore-producing filaments are pink, and serve as a conspicuous diagnostic feature.

Willow scab is caused by another fungal pathogen (Venturia saliciperda) that first infests young leaves, eventually spreading to young twigs and turning new growth brown.

Olive-brown masses of spores form on the underside of leaves and are a sure sign of infection.

If you have these two heavy-hitting diseases in combination, clean up affected leaf litter and burn it.

Applications of copper fungicide may help if applied early in spring, as will careful pruning.

As with most other diseases of native and very hardy species, trees become particularly susceptible if planted in an inappropriate location. So think hard before planting and choose your spot wisely!

Best Uses for Pussy Willows

Although the early spring blossoms are beautiful enough for any garden, pussy willows will only thrive where the soil is sufficiently moist.

The edge of a wetland, river, pond, or marsh is where this small tree belongs.

After planting, allow your pussy willow to grow a little wild. Remember that insect infestations are a boon for native bird populations, and dead wood and detritus enhances the soil and its community of microbes.

Try to put away your tools once in a while and let nature take its course.

If sited in an appropriate location, these plants will grow tall and healthy in no time, providing food for butterflies, birds, and a whole array of mammals. What could be better than that?

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Plant Type:	Woody shrub, small deciduous tree	Flower/Foliage Color:	Silver, greenish-yellow, pink / green
Native to:	North America, Eurasia	Water Needs:	High
Hardiness (USDA Zones):	4-9	Maintenance:	Low
Bloom Time/Season:	Spring blossoms	Tolerance:	Acidic soil, clay soil, flooding
Exposure:	Full sun to partial shade	Soil Type:	Moist soils of all types
Time to Maturity:	Up to 5 years	Soil pH:	6.0-7.0
Spacing:	15 feet	Soil Drainage:	Poor
Planting Depth:	Depth of growing container (transplants)	Attracts:	Birds, bumblebees, butterflies
Height:	Up to 25 feet	Uses:	Native plant garden, naturalized areas, rain garden, wetland edge
Spread:	Up to 15 feet	Family:	Salicaceae
Growth Rate:	Fast	Genus:	Salix
Common Pests and Disease:	Aphids, willow borer; bacterial blight, cytopspora canker, willow blight	Species:	Caprea, cinerea, discolor

An Easy-to-Grow Wildlife Magnet

If you’re looking for an easy, fast-growing tree that you won’t have to spend a lot of time fussing over, pussy willow is for you.

A favorite of many beneficial insects and mammals, this plant will quickly become an important food source for wildlife in your landscape.

Although these shrubs have their share of pest problems, site them in an appropriate location, don’t sweat the small stuff, and they will weather the worst of the issues just fine.

Are you thinking of growing pussy willow at home? Or maybe you’ve seen it out in the wild somewhere near you? Let us know how your growing experience is going, or leave any questions below. We always love to hear from you!

And to learn more about growing willows in your landscape, check out these guides next: