When does pussy willow bloom?

Salix discolor produces its fuzzy silver catkins in March and April, often before the leaves emerge.

What kind of soil moisture does pussy willow need?

This shrub grows best in consistently moist to wet soil and is commonly found along stream banks, ditches, and low wet areas.

What pollinators visit pussy willow?

Bees and beetles rely on the early spring catkins of Salix discolor for pollen and nectar when few other flowers are available.

How much light does pussy willow require?

It flowers most heavily in full sun but will also grow and bloom in part sun or part shade conditions.

Is pussy willow a tree or a shrub?

Salix discolor grows as a shrub, typically forming multiple upright stems rather than a single trunk.

Is Pussy Willow toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pussy Willow as toxic to livestock.

Is Pussy Willow HOA-friendly?

Pussy Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pussy Willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix discolor

Last reviewed: September 2026

Salix discolor, or pussy willow, is a multi-stemmed shrub that blooms in March and April with soft silvery catkins, favoring moist soil in full sun to part shade.

Toxicity unknown

Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Pussy Willow as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

120"–240" H × 60"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

CO, CT, DE, IA and 24 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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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Pussy willow is a fast-growing native shrub known for its fuzzy gray catkins that appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. It grows quite large and prefers consistently moist soil, making it ideal for low-lying areas or near water features. The shrub has a somewhat informal, spreading growth habit that requires regular pruning to maintain shape.

Growing Pussy Willow

Grow Pussy Willow in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 60 to 180 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pussy Willow takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very large mature size may overwhelm typical residential spaces
Informal growth habit can appear unruly without frequent pruning
Requires consistently wet soil which may create maintenance issues

Wildlife value

Host plant for mourning cloak butterfly.

The early spring catkins provide crucial nectar and pollen for bees and beetles when few other flowers are available. Birds also use the dense branching structure for nesting and shelter.

Common questions

When does pussy willow bloom?: Salix discolor produces its fuzzy silver catkins in March and April, often before the leaves emerge.
What kind of soil moisture does pussy willow need?: This shrub grows best in consistently moist to wet soil and is commonly found along stream banks, ditches, and low wet areas.
What pollinators visit pussy willow?: Bees and beetles rely on the early spring catkins of Salix discolor for pollen and nectar when few other flowers are available.
How much light does pussy willow require?: It flowers most heavily in full sun but will also grow and bloom in part sun or part shade conditions.
Is pussy willow a tree or a shrub?: Salix discolor grows as a shrub, typically forming multiple upright stems rather than a single trunk.
Is Pussy Willow toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pussy Willow as toxic to livestock.
Is Pussy Willow HOA-friendly?: Pussy Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

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