Pussy willow | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Willow
Family (botanic) Salicaceae
Tree or plant type Tree, Shrub
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Other tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional flooding, Wet sites
Season of interest early spring, mid spring
Flower color and fragrance Yellow
Shape or form Broad, Round, Weeping
Growth rate Fast

Size and Form

Pussy willow is a small, erect tree to large shrub reaching 15 to 25 feet high and 12 to 15 feet wide. It is often confused with goat willow (Salix caprea).

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

Commonly found in marshy and swampy areas, it is native to the upper central and eastern United States and most of Canada. C-Value: 3.

Bark Color and Texture

Slender greenish-red buds grow on gray-brown stems.

Leaf Arrangement, Size, Shape, and Texture

The alternate leaves are elliptical to oblong, measuring 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The leaves have entire or slightly toothed margins. They are dark blue green above, and pale to white beneath.

Flower Arrangement, Shape, and Size

The plant is dioecious (separate male and female plants). Male and female flowers (catkin) are 1 inch long, fuzzy, and silvery gray. Willows are wind pollinated.

Fruit and Seed Description

Fruit are small brown capsules in clusters.

Plant Care

Pussy willow does best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Tolerant of wet soil once established. Prune in late winter to early spring. This tree/shrub can be cut back to the ground every three to five years to maintain size. It can also be pruned into a hedge. This plant is shallow-rooted and can develop surface roots with age. It is short-lived.

List of Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances

Mildew, blights, leaf spots, canker diseases, borers, and aphids are all problems on this plant. The leaves and stems can be messy. Tolerant of deer, wet soils, and black walnut toxicity.