Salix discolor, Pussy Willow, Gallon pot
Salix discolor, Pussy Willow
FS - PS, Zone 3, Blooms April to May, 25’ x 4-10’, wet to medium moisture
This fast growing plant is considered either a shrub or tree. When grey, furry catkins bloom in early spring you know spring is coming. You also know the Mason Bees will emerge soon. The timing provides much needed pollen for the bees. Red Admiral butterflies also appear apout this time.
The following is taken from Prairie Moons writeup - “The plants bud out in late winter, often when there is still snow on the ground. Male Pussy Willows are prized for the fuzzy, dove gray buds borne on decorative ruddy red or tawny gray stems. These elongate and form catkins which burst open to reveal streaming, gold-tipped stamens commonly called “pussy fur.” Pussy Willows are beautiful in the landscape as well as floral arrangements. By comparison, the female flower buds are less showy, remaining gray or green - and although the catkins tend to be longer in length, the green stamens lack the peppy burst of yellow displayed by male specimens. If fertilized by a local male Pussy Willow, the female flowers are replaced by intriguing teardrop-shaped fruit capsules displayed along the length of the catkin. Small, dark bracts with gossamer strands develop at the base of these fruits. The cottony seed is dispersed by wind or water. Leathery leaves fill in as the catkins and fruits fizzle out. The foliage makes a soft merge from green to muted yellow in the fall.”
Research has shown that Pussy Willows support an astonishing number of caterpillars and moths - over 400. This makes them the second most valued Keystone tree, right after the Oak tree. 14% of Native plants are Keystone plants which support 90% of butterfly and moth species.
Salix discolor, Pussy Willow
FS - PS, Zone 3, Blooms April to May, 25’ x 4-10’, wet to medium moisture
This fast growing plant is considered either a shrub or tree. When grey, furry catkins bloom in early spring you know spring is coming. You also know the Mason Bees will emerge soon. The timing provides much needed pollen for the bees. Red Admiral butterflies also appear apout this time.
The following is taken from Prairie Moons writeup - “The plants bud out in late winter, often when there is still snow on the ground. Male Pussy Willows are prized for the fuzzy, dove gray buds borne on decorative ruddy red or tawny gray stems. These elongate and form catkins which burst open to reveal streaming, gold-tipped stamens commonly called “pussy fur.” Pussy Willows are beautiful in the landscape as well as floral arrangements. By comparison, the female flower buds are less showy, remaining gray or green - and although the catkins tend to be longer in length, the green stamens lack the peppy burst of yellow displayed by male specimens. If fertilized by a local male Pussy Willow, the female flowers are replaced by intriguing teardrop-shaped fruit capsules displayed along the length of the catkin. Small, dark bracts with gossamer strands develop at the base of these fruits. The cottony seed is dispersed by wind or water. Leathery leaves fill in as the catkins and fruits fizzle out. The foliage makes a soft merge from green to muted yellow in the fall.”
Research has shown that Pussy Willows support an astonishing number of caterpillars and moths - over 400. This makes them the second most valued Keystone tree, right after the Oak tree. 14% of Native plants are Keystone plants which support 90% of butterfly and moth species.
Salix discolor, Pussy Willow
FS - PS, Zone 3, Blooms April to May, 25’ x 4-10’, wet to medium moisture
This fast growing plant is considered either a shrub or tree. When grey, furry catkins bloom in early spring you know spring is coming. You also know the Mason Bees will emerge soon. The timing provides much needed pollen for the bees. Red Admiral butterflies also appear apout this time.
The following is taken from Prairie Moons writeup - “The plants bud out in late winter, often when there is still snow on the ground. Male Pussy Willows are prized for the fuzzy, dove gray buds borne on decorative ruddy red or tawny gray stems. These elongate and form catkins which burst open to reveal streaming, gold-tipped stamens commonly called “pussy fur.” Pussy Willows are beautiful in the landscape as well as floral arrangements. By comparison, the female flower buds are less showy, remaining gray or green - and although the catkins tend to be longer in length, the green stamens lack the peppy burst of yellow displayed by male specimens. If fertilized by a local male Pussy Willow, the female flowers are replaced by intriguing teardrop-shaped fruit capsules displayed along the length of the catkin. Small, dark bracts with gossamer strands develop at the base of these fruits. The cottony seed is dispersed by wind or water. Leathery leaves fill in as the catkins and fruits fizzle out. The foliage makes a soft merge from green to muted yellow in the fall.”
Research has shown that Pussy Willows support an astonishing number of caterpillars and moths - over 400. This makes them the second most valued Keystone tree, right after the Oak tree. 14% of Native plants are Keystone plants which support 90% of butterfly and moth species.