• Height: 6-20 ft
  
• Spread: 4-12 ft
  
• Light: Full sun-Part shade
  
• Soil: Average-Wet
• Zone: 4-8
  
• Deer resistance: Low
  
• Deciduous
• Native
• Black Walnut Tolerant

A multi stemmed larger shrub known for its soft velvety catkins that appear before it leafs out. One of the first willow catkins to appear in the spring. Catkins are often used in flowers arrangements. Pussy willow is dioecious (meaning male and female catkins are on different plants). The male shrubs produce the silvery soft catkins while the females produces smaller more greenish catkins. Summer foliage is green that has a nice full upright habit.

It provides food and nesting sites for birds. Pussy willow is also the larval host for Viceroy and Mourning Cloak butterfly among other species of moth and butterfly. (Click here to find more plants that support butterflies) In addition to generalist pollinators Salix (Willows) also support a vast amount of specialized native bees. Mammals will use this shrub as a good source as well. Deer, Beaver, Squirrel, etc. will enjoy foliage, bark, and buds as a tasty meal.

This deciduous shrub will grows to around 20 feet and can be pruned to control size and promote new growth. Naturally found along stream banks and wet meadows but handles drier more average soils very well. A great choice for stream bank restoration, rain garden planting, or for wildlife plantings.