When does Scouler's Willow bloom?

Scouler's Willow produces its catkins in April and May, often before or as the leaves emerge, which is typical timing for early season willows in higher elevation and mountain habitats.

What pollinators visit Scouler's Willow?

Bees and beetles are drawn to the catkins of Scouler's Willow, which provide an early nectar and pollen source when few other plants are flowering.

How much water does Scouler's Willow need?

This shrub prefers consistently moist to wet soil and does best in high water conditions, though it can tolerate somewhat drier sites once established.

What growing conditions suit Scouler's Willow best?

Scouler's Willow grows well in full sun to partial shade and is often found along streambanks, in mountain meadows, and on disturbed slopes at moderate to high elevations.

Does Scouler's Willow lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is a deciduous shrub that drops its leaves each fall and puts out new growth along with its catkins in spring.

Is Scouler's Willow toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Scouler's Willow as toxic to livestock.

Is Scouler's Willow HOA-friendly?

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

Scouler's Willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix scouleriana

Last reviewed: September 2026

Salix scouleriana is a fast growing shrub that thrives in full sun and moist to seasonally wet soils, blooming with catkins in April and May across mountain slopes, meadows, and streambanks in the western United States.

Toxicity unknown

Scouler's Willow (Salix scouleriana) 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 Scouler's Willow as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

120"–360" H × 60"–180" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Northwestern Great Plains Madrean Archipelago

Scouler's willow is a large native shrub that can reach 10-30 feet tall and wide at maturity. It produces catkins in early spring before the leaves emerge and thrives in moist conditions. This fast-growing deciduous shrub works well as a natural screen or windbreak.

Growing Scouler's Willow

Grow Scouler's Willow in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 120 to 360 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

Scouler's 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.

Extremely large size inappropriate for most residential landscapes
Fast growth requires frequent pruning to control
Can appear untidy without regular maintenance

Wildlife value

The early spring catkins provide crucial nectar for bees and beetles when few other flowers are available. Birds often nest in the dense branching structure.

Common questions

When does Scouler's Willow bloom?: Scouler's Willow produces its catkins in April and May, often before or as the leaves emerge, which is typical timing for early season willows in higher elevation and mountain habitats.
What pollinators visit Scouler's Willow?: Bees and beetles are drawn to the catkins of Scouler's Willow, which provide an early nectar and pollen source when few other plants are flowering.
How much water does Scouler's Willow need?: This shrub prefers consistently moist to wet soil and does best in high water conditions, though it can tolerate somewhat drier sites once established.
What growing conditions suit Scouler's Willow best?: Scouler's Willow grows well in full sun to partial shade and is often found along streambanks, in mountain meadows, and on disturbed slopes at moderate to high elevations.
Does Scouler's Willow lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, it is a deciduous shrub that drops its leaves each fall and puts out new growth along with its catkins in spring.
Is Scouler's Willow toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Scouler's Willow as toxic to livestock.
Is Scouler's Willow HOA-friendly?: Scouler's 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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