How much sun does Goodding's black willow need?

Goodding's black willow grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Goodding's black willow bloom?

Goodding's black willow blooms in March and April.

Where is Goodding's black willow native?

Goodding's black willow (Salix gooddingii) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Goodding's black willow host?

Goodding's black willow is a larval host plant for mourning cloak, western tiger swallowtail, and viceroy.

Goodding's black willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix gooddingii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Goodding's black willow (Salix gooddingii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

180"–600" H × 180"–360" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states

Pollinators

native bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Edwards Plateau Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A fast-growing streamside tree with narrow, willow-green leaves and yellow catkins in early spring. Naturally brittle and multi-trunked, it drops twigs readily and has an informal, sometimes rangy silhouette.

Wildlife value

Host plant for mourning cloak, western tiger swallowtail, viceroy.

Early catkins are an important pollen source for bees emerging in spring, and the foliage hosts mourning cloak, western tiger swallowtail, and viceroy caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Goodding's black willow need?: Goodding's black willow grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Goodding's black willow bloom?: Goodding's black willow blooms in March and April.
Where is Goodding's black willow native?: Goodding's black willow (Salix gooddingii) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Goodding's black willow host?: Goodding's black willow is a larval host plant for mourning cloak, western tiger swallowtail, and viceroy.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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