A Close Look at Pussy Willows

The pussy willow is a common flowering shrub known for its fuzzy catkin-like flowers. When you ask to see a picture of a pussy willow you’ll likely see those iconic gray, silvery buds covered in tiny hairs that give them their name. Let’s take a closer look at the unique features and growing habits of these popular early bloomers.

Pussy Willow Identification

Pussy willows belong to the Salix genus of shrubs and trees. There are over 400 species of willows, but the most common pussy willow is Salix discolor, also known as American pussy willow.

Some identification features of pussy willows include:

• Multiple stems growing up to 15 feet tall
• Alternate, simple leaves that are oval or lance-shaped
• Silky catkins appearing before the leaves emerge in early spring
• Male and female catkins on separate plants (dioecious)
• Male catkins with yellow pollen, females with egg-shaped seed pods
• Prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade

The fuzzy catkins provide insulation that protects the tiny flowers inside from frost and cold temperatures, allowing them to bloom so early in the year

Stages of Growth

One of the delights of pussy willows is watching the catkins develop through their stages:

Winter buds – The buds first form in fall and overwinter on the bare branches. They are covered in fine, downy hairs that add to their insulation.

Silvery gray catkins – As temperatures warm in early spring, the catkins swell and their hairs expand, giving them a soft, silvery appearance. This is the most iconic stage when people recognize them as pussy willows.

Pollen release – The male catkins will then burst open and release yellow clouds of pollen. The female catkins lengthen and their tiny flowers are receptive to pollination.

Seed pods – After fertilization, the female catkins transition to green seed pods that split open to release cottony seeds carried by the wind.

Leaf growth – Finally, the leaves unfurl after the catkins are finished blooming, filling out the shrub’s branches.

Uses for Pussy Willows

Beyond being a harbinger of spring in gardens, pussy willows are used for:

• Cut branches – Popular in floral arrangements and spring bouquets
• Crafts – The fuzzy catkins can be used to make decorative wreaths and ornaments
• Habitat – Provide an early source of pollen for bees and food for birds
• Erosion control – Extensive root systems help stabilize stream banks and slopes.

How to Grow Your Own

If you want to add these iconic spring-bloomers to your landscape, pussy willows are easy to grow. They thrive in full sun to part shade in moist soil. Look for named cultivars selected for better growth habits, catkin size, or color. ‘Silver Glory’, ‘Golden Glory’, and ‘Scarlet Curls’ are some popular varieties. Pussy willows can spread invasively, so give them plenty of room or grow them in containers.

The next time you ask to see a picture of a pussy willow, look for those soft, fuzzy catkins. Watching them unfurl their silky blossoms is one of the joys of the spring garden.