Pussy willow (Salix discolor)

Favorite sign of spring, the fuzzy catkins of pussy willow appear before leaves in late winter.  Flowers are yellow stamens with green styles that bloom time February -March.  The plant is a shrub or small tree with bluish-green shiny leaves.  Grows 20’ tall 18′ wide.  Recommended to cut back every few years.

Grows in full sun, partial shade, tolerates wet locations. Native across Midwest and Northeast US and Canada

Use Wildlife: Early season harvest for songbirds, waterfowl and small mammals.
Attracts butterflies, and is a larval host for 2, the Mourning Cloak and the Viceroy. Special value to honey bees and native bees including bumble bees.

Size: 18″-24″  bare root seedlings

Photo Credit: WikiCommons