French Pussy Willow Plant 3-Pack – 12 to 24in Salix Caprea Deciduous Shrub Live Plant

Bring the Beauty of French Pussy Willow to Your Garden

Add a touch of elegance to your landscape with our French Pussy Willow (Salix caprea) plants. This listing includes three individual plants, each standing between 12 and 24 inches tall, ready to be planted in your garden. These deciduous shrubs are known for their distinctive, soft, silvery catkins that emerge in early spring, providing a beautiful display before the leaves appear. The Salix caprea, also known as Goat Willow, is a versatile plant that can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree with regular pruning.

Our French Pussy Willow plants are carefully grown and shipped to ensure they arrive in excellent condition. Please note that these plants ship bare root during the fall and winter months, and in a pot during the growing season. This ensures optimal survival and transplanting success. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, making them suitable for a wide range of climates.

Benefits of Growing French Pussy Willow:

• Early Spring Interest: The silvery catkins provide a beautiful display before other plants begin to bloom.
• Versatile Growth: Can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree.
• Wildlife Attraction: The catkins provide an early source of pollen for bees and other pollinators.
• Adaptable: Tolerates a range of soil conditions and light levels.
• Easy to Grow: A relatively low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for.

The Salix caprea thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. However, it can tolerate drier conditions once established. Mature plants can reach up to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide, but can be kept smaller with regular pruning. These plants are native to Europe and Northeastern Asia and are known for their shallow root systems. Regular pruning will help maintain the desired shape and size of your French Pussy Willow.

Key Features:

• Latin Name: Salix caprea
• Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Mature Height: Up to 25 feet
• Soil/Climate: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Frequently Asked Questions about French Pussy Willow

1. How big will the French Pussy Willow get?

The French Pussy Willow (Salix caprea) can grow up to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide if left unpruned. However, it can be easily maintained as a smaller shrub with regular pruning.

2. What kind of soil does the Pussy Willow need?

This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable and can tolerate drier conditions once established.

3. How much sunlight does it need?

French Pussy Willow thrives in full sun to partial shade, needing at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth and catkin production.

4. When is the best time to plant my Pussy Willow?

The best time to plant is in the spring or fall. During fall and winter, the plant ships bare root; in the growing season, it ships in a pot.

5. How often should I water my new Pussy Willow plant?

Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to help establish a strong root system. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry spells.

6. Are the catkins safe for pets?

While generally considered non-toxic, it’s best to prevent pets from consuming large quantities of catkins to avoid potential digestive upset.

7. How do I prune my French Pussy Willow to encourage more catkins?

Prune after flowering in late spring or early summer. Remove any dead or crossing branches and thin out the plant to improve air circulation. This encourages new growth, which will produce more catkins the following spring.