{"product_id":"native-pussy-willow","title":"Native Pussy Willow","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Minnesota-Native Shrub With Silvery Spring Catkins\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative Pussy Willow (\u003cem\u003eSalix discolor\u003c\/em\u003e) is the beloved Minnesota-native shrub that signals spring with its soft, silvery catkins — the classic \"pussy willows\" prized for early bouquets and as one of the very first nectar and pollen sources for emerging native bees. Fast-growing and adaptable, it thrives in wet soils where many shrubs fail. A wildlife-supporting native for rain gardens, pond edges, and naturalized wet spots in Woodbury, Maple Grove, and Shoreview.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNative Pussy Willow Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalix discolor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–15 ft. tall, 4–12 ft. wide (prune to control size)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery early spring (silvery catkins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSilvery-gray catkins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist to wet; thrives in rain gardens, wet meadows, and pond edges\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable well below -30°F — a tough native\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUsually avoided by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWet sites and rain gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the best shrubs for soggy ground — plant it where water collects, along ponds, or in rain gardens. Space 5–8 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarly pollinator support and cut branches:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its catkins are a crucial first food for native bees, and the branches are wonderful for spring arrangements. Pair with red twig dogwood and native wetland plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into moist to wet soil. Keep consistently moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Native Pussy Willow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water heavily, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 5–8 feet apart. It tolerates standing-wet sites well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Native Pussy Willow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist to wet — water every 1–2 days in dry weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide steady moisture; in naturally wet sites rainfall suffices. It is not a plant for dry soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — pussy willow is a true Minnesota native and one of the earliest, most important spring food sources for native bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I cut branches for bouquets?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbsolutely — cut the catkin branches in early spring; pruning also helps keep the shrub a manageable size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does it need wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt strongly prefers moist to wet ground and excels in rain gardens; it will struggle in hot, dry sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — a tough native hardy well below Twin Cities lows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Twig Dogwood (Cornus):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native shrub for moist sites with red winter stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Fern (Osmunda regalis):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native fern for wet ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoe Pye Weed (Eutrochium):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native pollinator perennial for rain gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54313071345969,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/native-pussy-willow.jpg?v=1779727884","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/native-pussy-willow","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}