Pussy-willow Salix caprea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-iks KAP-ree-uh
- Description
-
A small tree or shrub that withstands heavy pruning and is tolerant of adverse conditions. It can be a short-lived individual. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pendula'
- 'Pendula'
- 'Pendula'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pendula'
- 'Pendula'
- 'Pendula'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- caprea
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western and Central Asia, Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Showy male 1-2 in. catkins in early spring
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple dark green leaves; 2-4 in. long; gray pubescent below
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Short-lived
