Salix discolor aka Pussy Willow

Salix discolor is a North American willow in the Salicaceae family. Gardeners know it as pussy willow or American glaucous willow. This fast-growing shrub loses its leaves each fall. It grows upright and often forms several main stems. Garden plants often reach 10–20 feet (3–6.1 metres) tall. They spread about 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 metres) wide. RHS gives larger limits of 26 feet (8 metres) tall. Its listed spread reaches 13 feet (4 metres). Small tree forms can reach 30 feet (9.1 metres).

Young shoots may carry fine hairs and have red-brown bark. Slender twigs can also be green, with purple-red buds. Each bud has a single scale shaped like a cap. Older bark turns gray-brown and develops shallow cracks or scales. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They have toothed edges and an oval shape. Their dark green tops may shine, while undersides look gray. Fall leaves can turn yellow, but the display is slight.

Catkins open before the leaves, with bloom listed for March through April. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Male catkins start pale and silky, then turn yellow. Female catkins are green. Choose male plants for the showiest catkins and cut stems. The stems suit both fresh and dried indoor displays. Small brown fruit capsules hold many seeds with fine hairs. Virginia Tech places fruit ripening in late spring.

Plant this willow in full sun for its best growth. It also accepts partial shade. Give it deep, moist soil with good drainage. Clay, loam, and sand all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Avoid shallow chalk ground. Wet sites beside ponds or streams also suit this shrub. Chicago lists USDA zones 2–8; RHS rates it H7. Grow it as a hedge or in wildlife gardens. It hosts viceroy butterfly larvae and draws pollinators. Indigenous peoples used it for medicine, baskets, rope, and netting.

Basic upkeep is low, though pests and disease can cause trouble. Aphids, scale, borers, caterpillars, sawflies, and leaf beetles may attack. Blights, rust, mildew, cankers, and honey fungus may occur. Weak wood can split under snow or ice. Fallen leaves and broken twigs can create litter. Shallow roots may block drains and hinder planting beneath it. Pruning after bloom can keep growth in check.