Source: OWSL
Plant Names
Salix discolor
Pussy Willow
Saule discolore
Synonyms
American pussy willow
glaucous willow
large pussy willow
lowland pussy willow
chatons
saule p'tits-minous
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: Apr - May
Max Height: 15.0 feet
Max Width: 12.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Plant is
dioecious
Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Can be used as a hedge
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for woodland gardens
Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
Bee host
Keystone species
Bee host
Keystone species
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Tolerates salt conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Pussy willow is a fast-growing native shrub best known for its soft, silvery catkins that appear in very early spring. It grows naturally along streams, wetlands, and moist meadows but adapts well to rain gardens and damp landscapes.
One of the earliest and most valuable native plants for pollinators. Its pollen and nectar support emerging queen bumble bees, mining bees, mason bees, sweat bees, hoverflies, and many other insects. It is also a host plant for hundreds of moth and butterfly caterpillars. Birds nest in the dense branches, while beavers and rabbits browse the twigs.
Fast growing.
Prefers moist to wet soils.
Can become a large shrub or small tree.
Prune every few years to encourage vigorous new stems.
Excellent for erosion control.
CAUTION
Generally non-toxic. Contains salicin (similar to aspirin), so pets should not consume large quantities.
One of the earliest and most valuable native plants for pollinators. Its pollen and nectar support emerging queen bumble bees, mining bees, mason bees, sweat bees, hoverflies, and many other insects. It is also a host plant for hundreds of moth and butterfly caterpillars. Birds nest in the dense branches, while beavers and rabbits browse the twigs.
Fast growing.
Prefers moist to wet soils.
Can become a large shrub or small tree.
Prune every few years to encourage vigorous new stems.
Excellent for erosion control.
CAUTION
Generally non-toxic. Contains salicin (similar to aspirin), so pets should not consume large quantities.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Taiga Plains
- Atlantic Maritime
- Taiga Shield
- Boreal Plains
- Montane Cordillera
- Prairies
- Hudson Plains
- Boreal Shield
- Boreal Cordillera
- Pacific Maritime
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Salix discolor
-
Antheraea polyphemus
Polyphemus - Polyphème d'Amérique -
Automeris io
Io moth -
Erynnis icelus
Dreamy Duskywing - Hespérie Givrée -
Eupithecia miserulata
American Common Pug -
Euplexia benesimilis
American Angle Shades -
Haploa clymene
Clymene -
Hyalophora cecropia
Cecropia moth - Saturnie Cécropia -
Limenitis archippus
Viceroy - Vice-Roi -
Limenitis arthemis ssp. astyanax
Red Spotted Purple -
Melanchra adjuncta
Hitched Arches -
Nymphalis antiopa
Mourning Cloak - Morio -
Nymphalis vaualbum
Compton Tortoiseshell - Vanesse du Peuplier -
Paonias excaecata
Blinded Sphinx - Sphinx Aveugle -
Papilio glaucus
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - Papillon Tigré de l'Est -
Prochoerodes lineola
Large Maple Spanworm -
Satyrium liparops
Striped hairstreak - Porte-queue à Bandes Brisées -
Schizura unicornis
Unicorn Caterpillar -
Trichordestra legitima
Striped Garden Caterpillar
Specialized Bees Supported by Salix discolor
- Andrena bisalicis
- Andrena clarkella
- Andrena erythrogaster
- Andrena frigida
- Andrena mariae
- Andrena sigmundi
- Andrena wellesleyana
- Megachile pugnata
- Protandrena andrenoides
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Forsythieae (Forsythia)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 0 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: May
- Harvesting indicator:
- Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
- Harvesting:
- Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity found.