Why plant Audubon® Native Pussy Willow?
The Audubon® Native Pussy Willow is a wonderful native shrub or tree that is highly beneficial to our native landscapes! In early spring, the fuzzy catkins emerge - often times as the first welcoming sign that spring has arrived. These catkins are covered in highly desired pollen and nectar that serve as a key food source for bees, birds and other insects. Of course, where you've got little insects, you'll attract a wide range of songbirds for their meal! As the catkins fades, bright green foliage emerges and remains throughout summer before turning a dusky yellow in fall. In season, the Native Pussy Willow serves as the host plants for hundreds of different varieties of moths, butterflies and other insects. As your Pussy Willow matures, the branching forms a thicket which provides much needed shelter and nesting locations for Goldfinches, Yellow Warblers, and more. Do your native landscape a favor and add this beautiful harbinger of spring to your landscape!
How to use Audubon® Native Pussy Willow in the landscape?
The Audubon® Native Pussy Willow is an excellent option for low, poor draining areas in yards, as well as traditional plantings around ponds and in marshes. They are highly beneficial when added to native landscapes, pollinator gardens or even butterfly gardens!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Audubon® Native Pussy Willow
The Audubon® Native Pussy Willow performs best in locations that offer full sun, but it can do will in locations with part shade. They like moist, rich, soil types but can tolerate other types of soil as well. They do tolerate soils with poor drainage but perform better in well-draining soils that are kept consistently moist.
How To Water
The Audubon® Native Pussy Willow - like all Willow varieties - are known for being rather thirsty. Thriving alongside streams in the wild, you will want to ensure that your shrub is getting the water it needs to survive. Keeping the soil constantly moist will be your best option. You can achieve this by watering every two to three days, and increasing the amount you apply during periods of drought.
How To Fertilize
Are you curious about the feeding of your Native Pussy Willow? No need to worry we have you covered! We recommend a nice fertilizer application twice a year. Once in spring before the push of new growth then again in the fall just before dormancy to ensure that your shrub is obtaining the right amount of nutrients all year long.
How To Prune
The best time to prune your Audubon® Native Pussy Willow is in late winter to early spring, before the catkins begin to swell! You could prune your Pussy Willow into a more 'tree like' structure but remove lower branches and exposing the trunk as it ages.