Goodding's black willow
Salix gooddingii
Last reviewed: October 2026
Goodding's black willow (Salix gooddingii) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw native bees and flies.
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
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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 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
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.
Growing Goodding's black willow
Grow Goodding's black willow in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 180 to 600 inches tall and spread 180 to 360 inches wide.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Goodding's black willow? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.