Salix discolor – Pussy Willow

As cute as little stuffed animals and loved by all as harbingers of Spring, the silver-haired catkins (male flower clusters) are really designed to trap sunlight. Like a miniature greenhouse the catkin’s interior heats up well above the ambient air temperature, allowing it to develop in the cold of late Winter and early Spring. Prune hard (1/3 of the crown) every few years for the best display. Pussy Willow is an important host plant for many species of butterfly including the White Admiral, Green Comma, Mourning Cloak and Viceroy.