Pussy willows (Salix discolor) are members of the willow family. They are normally grown as shrubs but can grow into small trees if not pruned in late winter. Pussy willows are valued for the soft, furry catkins they bear when other plants are still dormant. They belong to the first messengers of spring and are an important early food source for pollinators such as our honey bees.
Pussy willows are easy to grow and don’t mind wet soils. They’re therefore a good choice for planting near a pond, lake or stream; or to help control soil erosion because of their long tap roots.
Salix discolor is an American Native and hardy in zones 4-8. They are easy to propagate by allowing them to grow roots from cuttings. For this, just put the freshly cut stems in a vase with water. Roots will form in a few weeks. When the cuttings have plenty of roots, either plant them first in a pot and keep the soil moist or plant them directly in the garden and make sure to water them in the first weeks if there is not enough rain. If you want to keep Pussy willows just as decoration in your house, don’t add water to the vase. They will keep then for months.