French Pussy Willow Tree

Salix caprea

Nature Hills Nursery

Male Pussy Willow Tree Produces Silky Gray Catkins in Late Winter Before Leaves Emerge
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
Grows 15 ft Tall, 12 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms From Late Winter to Early Spring
Perfect for Hedge in Butterfly Gardens

$56²⁵

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Plant Size

#3 Container 2-3 Feet

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the best development and density, give your willow at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. While it can handle partial shade, be aware that too little sun leads to sparse growth and fewer of those beautiful silvery catkins in early spring.
Soil: This tree is quite adaptable but performs best in soil that is consistently moist and well-drained. If you have heavy clay, amend the planting area generously with compost to improve drainage; for sandy soils, these organic materials will help retain necessary moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, keep the root ball consistently moist by watering deeply two to three times per week until the tree is established. Once mature, French Pussy Willows are more durable but truly prefer reliably moist conditions; inconsistent watering will cause stress, leading to scorched leaf edges and stunted annual growth. Think of it as a plant that is always happiest with its "feet wet," especially in the heat of summer.

Pruning Tips

This tree blooms on old wood, meaning the buds that form the catkins are set the previous year, but we prune for form and rejuvenation. To maintain an attractive shape and encourage a fresh flush of growth, prune immediately after the catkins have faded in early spring, before the leaves emerge. You can prune heavily, cutting up to one-third of the older branches to the ground; this practice, known as coppicing, rejuvenates the tree and ensures you get the longest, straightest branches for cutting in the following year.

Fertilizer Needs

A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 blend, applied in early spring as new growth emerges is usually sufficient for established willows. Be sure to avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizer late in the season, such as after mid-July, because this encourages tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost, leaving it vulnerable to winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Plant specifications
Botanical Name	Salix caprea
Class	Fagales
Species	caprea
Growing Zones	4-8
Height	15 ft
Width	12 ft
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate	Fast
Flower Color	White
Leaf Color	Green
Bloom Period	Late Winter, Early Spring
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Graceful, Hardy French Pussy Willow Tree

Gray, Pink and Green Catkins
Fabulous Early Spring Display
Include Branches in Cut Arrangements and Outdoor Containers
Force Branches Indoors in Winter
Must-Have Backdrop for Cutting Gardens
Fast-Growing Screening Tree
Thrives in Wet Spots in Your Garden
This Variety Also Tolerates Drier Sites Than Others
Tolerates Juglone from Black Walnut Trees
Easy Care, Adaptable and Versatile

Perhaps you've loved the tender look of these memorable flower buds since you were a small child. After all, the fine texture of tightly clasped pussy willows capture the imagination with ease!

Now that you are grown up, make a decision to decorate your life with the classic harbinger of spring. Delightful French Pussy Willow tree (Salix caprea) produces sweetly fuzzy catkins along the length of the dainty branches in late winter and early spring.

Use these easy trees, and you'll have a sure sign that spring is around the corner. No other garden site is quite so welcome.

Add with a few Forsythia bushes for a special springtime feature in your landscape. You'll have plenty of material on hand for cut flower arrangements.

The large, fuzzy, silvery buds can be cut and forced indoors in late winter. You'll appreciate their delicate beauty!

Pussy Willow branches in bud are often sold for high prices. Why not bundle and sell your own Pussy Willow material to local shops? Use several along your fence line and start a fun little cottage business.

In no time, you'll enjoy a beautiful, graceful tree. Enjoy filling your vases and outdoor containers with armloads of Pussy Willows.

Like all Willows, our French Pussy Willow trees thrive near water. This particular variety also tolerates sites with well-drained soil if they receive enough water.

French Pussy Willow trees grow with a dreamy form and wavy-edged leaves that flutter in the slightest breeze. They make good screening plants, and can easily help you create a private paradise in your landscape.

It is fast-growing, easy to care for and long-lived. Get the look you crave with French Pussy Willow trees from Nature Hills. Order today!

How to Use French Pussy Willow Tree in the Landscape

This is a versatile tree that can be used for many garden applications. You'll find many ways to use it in your landscape.

Use a single tree as a lawn specimen plant in a large mulched bed. Underplant around the tree with flowering and fall color shrubs like Sweetspire; along with hundreds of spring-flowering bulbs for a wonderful display.

Create a Rain Garden in a low spot and use French Pussy Willow to anchor your planting. Include moisture-loving plants like Swamp Milkweed, Hardy Hibiscus and Rushes.

Consider this a small-scale replacement for Weeping Willow. It looks incredible reflected in water from a pond or water feature.

Add as a privacy screen or free-flowing hedge. Create a fast solid hedge by planting them 5 feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next, and they'll grow together and touch.

Use this same idea to create walls of an outdoor Garden Room. Wouldn't you love to have a restful getaway spot in your space? Add a platform for Yoga, or a cozy glider for reading.

These easy-care trees can provide shade and screening for a Children's Garden. Be sure to tell them the legend of how the Pussy Willow gets its name.

As the story goes...long ago, a mother cat was crying at the bank of the river. Her kittens had been chasing butterflies and had fallen in the water and were unable to swim.

The Willows at the river's edge longed to help her, so they swept their long graceful branches into the waters to rescue the tiny kittens. The kittens gripped on so tightly to their branches that every spring the Willows sprout tiny, furry buds at their tips where the tiny kittens clung to safety.

#ProPlantTips for Care

French Pussy Willow tree flowers best in full sun, but will tolerate partial or light shade. Ensure it receives at least 4 hours of sunlight a day.

It adapts to most soil types, including wet soils. Provide a moderate amount of water on a regular basis. Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch around the tree, pulling it back from the trunk.

In early spring, it's time to harvest your catkins. Select a few of the thickest branches to remove completely back to the main trunk.

Willows are very forgiving of pruning. You can use them as shrubs, if you allow the lower branches to remain. Prune them up as a single leader tree-form, if you choose. Or, control the height by trimming all the branches back to the ground after flowering.

To force branches in winter, select a few of the interior branches and trim them back in late winter. Make your cuts at a 45--degree angle just above a swelling bud that faces outward.

Bring them indoors and place in a vase filled with warm water. Change water daily, and watch as the buds start to swell into those beloved "fussies".

Make the most of your space. Order French Pussy Willow trees, and start your growing season right every year thereafter.

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Growing Zones 4-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hardiness zones for French Pussy Willow, and is it suitable for zone 8b in South Carolina?

French Pussy Willow is hardy in zones 4-8 and will thrive in your South Carolina 8b location. This adaptable shrub tolerates both wet and well-drained sites, making it perfect for your climate. Plant it where it gets adequate water during dry spells for best growth.

How big will the French Pussy Willow tree get at maturity, and does it stay small or grow into a large tree?

French Pussy Willow typically reaches 15-25 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide at maturity, making it a medium-sized tree rather than a large one. Its fast growth rate means you'll have screening and cut branches within a few years. Plan for adequate spacing when planting multiple trees from Nature Hills.

What are the care requirements for French Pussy Willow, including watering, soil type, and sun exposure in hot climates?

French Pussy Willow thrives in consistently moist soil and full sun to partial shade, though this variety tolerates drier sites better than other willows. Plant in wet spots or provide regular watering in well-drained soil. In hot climates, afternoon shade helps prevent stress and maintains optimal growth.

What is the best planting time and location for French Pussy Willow in zones 4-5, like Central New York?

Plant French Pussy Willow in early spring or fall in zones 4-5. Choose a location with moist, well-draining soil and full to partial sun. This variety tolerates wet spots better than most willows but also handles drier sites with adequate watering. Space 6-8 feet apart for screening.

How do I prune French Pussy Willow to maintain its shape and encourage height above the graft?

Prune French Pussy Willow immediately after flowering in early spring to maintain shape and encourage upward growth. Remove any suckers below the graft union and trim back lateral branches by one-third. This timing preserves next year's catkin display while promoting the graceful form that makes this variety so popular at Nature Hills.

Are the roots of French Pussy Willow invasive, and will they damage sewers or foundations?

French Pussy Willow roots are moderately invasive and can seek out water sources, potentially damaging pipes or foundations if planted too close. Like most willows, they develop extensive root systems that spread widely in search of moisture. Plant at least 25-30 feet away from structures and underground utilities to avoid problems.

What pests and diseases affect French Pussy Willow, like aphids, caterpillars, or powdery mildew?

French Pussy Willows are generally pest and disease resistant but may occasionally attract aphids or scale insects in spring. Caterpillars can sometimes feed on the leaves, and wet conditions may cause leaf spot or canker issues. Proper spacing for air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help prevent most problems.

What should I do if my shipped French Pussy Willow arrives damaged or broken?

Contact the nursery immediately with photos of the damage for a replacement or refund. Willows are resilient, so minor branch damage won't hurt the plant's establishment. Plant promptly in moist soil and water well to help it recover quickly.