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Salix discolor

Pussy Willow

$0.00

Bare Root Plants- Male
Out of Stock
Bare Root Plants- Female
Out of Stock

We sell both male and female trees. Pussy Willow is an iconic and well-loved herald of spring.  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. 

Salix discolor is a fast-growing plant, considered either a small tree or a large shrub, it often reaches 25 feet in height, especially in ideal sites.  Pussy Willow is very adaptable but performs best in full sun and consistently moist soils.  These conditions often promote a great deal of suckering and spreading, though.  Trim this plant back every few years to limit such behavior; leave a few stems to harden off and mature at interval trimmings.  This specimen has a short lifespan and renewal prunings can encourage its longevitiy within the landscape.  
PLEASE NOTE: Pussy Willow has dense, shallow roots that can wreak havoc on hardscapes such as pavement, sidewalks, sewage lines, or septic fields.   

These early bloomers are a rich food source for pollinators emerging from their winter nests.  Pussy Willow is particularly appealing to small native bees.  Mourning Cloak and Viceroy butterflies utilize this shrub as a host plant.  Many birds take shelter in the branches, while others dive through the boughs for lunch.  Wood Turtles and Snapping Turtles consume the fallen leaves.  Rabbits, deer, and elk will help trim this small tree.


Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Dormant Bare Roots
April/May October 2 years/12" (Male or Female)

Salix discolor - Pussy Willow

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

3 Questions asked on Salix discolor

I have a location along a waterway that also has perforated tile installed. I have always been cautious when putting willows next to tile lines. Do pussy willows seek out tile lines as well as other members of the Salix genus?
Hi Jennifer, Yes, pussy willows are water lovers with extensive root systems like other willows. You might want to avoid planting them near tiles, sewers, or septic tanks. For this same reason, they are a great choice for controlling erosion!
How far away do you recommend planting Salix discolor from tiles, sewers, septic tanks, water lines to avoid issues?
Hi Stephanie, There is no straight-forward answer to this question, but consider that the crown of the tree can grow to have a 12ft+ spread, and the roots can spread well beyond the crown.
I live in the northern metro and part of my yard is a runoff basin. I would like to plant these near that and not have them take over completely. If I get 2 plants and trim them alternating every-other and every third year, will that help keep them under control?
Hi Aili. 2 Pussy Willows should do well in that site. Allow the plants to establish for a few years before trimming them. The pruning regimen may not need to be quite that scheduled; depending on the weather and site conditions, these trees may benefit from several years of growing out before the next trim.

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.

Shipping & Handling Charges

SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00
Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!

Custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100, add 5% of the total seed cost
(for orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required)

BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50.00 and under: $9.00
over $50.00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required.)

TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).

**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kits transit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) outside the contiguous US or to CALIFORNIA due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Germination Code
A
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full, Partial
Soil Moisture
Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium
Height
to 25 ft
Bloom Time
April, May
Advantages
Pollinator Favorite: butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, beetles
Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perch
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-7
Plant Spacing
4-10'
Catalog Code
SAL06T