Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
The adorable furry blooms, aptly called catkins, may seem familiar to you. The male stems of this plant are often sold for household decorations in celebration of early spring. The plant itself is a multi-stemmed small tree or upright shrub with dark gray bark, worthy of nearly any garden. It is very useful in wet areas or in rain gardens and can be pruned into hedgerows or coppiced. The blooms of this species (along with all native willows) are especially important as an early source of nectar for bees.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; average to wet soils; intolerant of dry soils
Size: 6′ – 15′ tall, 4′ – 12′ spread
Zone: 4 – 8
Wildlife Value: Larval host for hundreds of species including Mourning Cloak, Viceroy, Small Eyed Sphinx Moth; early nectar source for butterflies, bumble bees, and other native bees; host plant for several pollen specialist bees
