Hi Linda,

Enjoy your Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)!!

How to Plant Pussy Willows: With their velvety gray catkins, pussy willows (Salix discolor) add ornamental appeal to late winter landscaping throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. The catkins appear only on the male shrubs. How you plant pussy willows depends on how you intend to use them in your yard or garden because spacing and care depend on your plans. However, you should follow several rules regardless of whether you want to grow a pussy willow hedge or if you simply want to plant one or two as specimen shrubs.

Choosing a Planting Site: Pussy willows tolerate a wide range of conditions that few other shrubs or small trees can, however, they will look better and live longer if planted under ideal conditions. Full sun is best for pussy willows, although they will tolerate some light shade in hotter climates. Avoid heavy shade, especially if the soil is very moist. Pussy willows tolerate wet soil once established, but they will suffer fewer problems if grown in a location with moist, fast-draining soil. Avoid planting sites with very dry or gritty soil. A mature pussy willow can reach 6 to 15 feet in height with a 4- to 12-foot spread. If growing a pussy willow as a stand-alone specimen plant, choose a location with at least 10 square feet of space. Account for 2 to 4 feet of space between each shrub if growing them as a screen or hedge. Whether you're growing pussy willows as a hedge or a specimen, be sure to plant them well away from septic tanks, underground lines, and the foundation of your home, because their roots spread far and can cause damage to utilities and structures.

Planting Pussy Willows: Autumn is the best time to plant deciduous shrubs like pussy willows. And it's best to plant in the morning when the weather is cool and the shrub is hydrated. Prepare the planting site the day before, so the soil has time to settle. Organic material such as compost should make up 10 to 20 percent of the soil volume at the planting site to provide the right drainage and nutrient content, which is especially important in areas with clay or sandy soil. A standard way to amend the soil is to work a 1- to 2-inch-thick layer of compost into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. Work it into the soil with a garden fork and remove any rocks you find. Pussy willows should be planted at roughly the same depth they were in their original nursery container or just a little bit deeper. Dig a planting hole that is twice the width and just an inch or two deeper than the pot. Loosen the roots slightly and spread them out in the hole. Ask a friend to hold the pussy willow in place while you fill in around the roots to make sure the shrub is upright. Firm the soil around the base and water deeply to settle the soil.

Here is some information on the Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) you may enjoy (Click on the below links):

https://extension.psu.edu/pussy-willow-a-valuable-native-plant

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286783

https://michiganflora.net/species.aspx?id=2625

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/salix-discolor/

https://blog-yard-garden-news.extension.umn.edu/2020/01/smart-gardening-in-2020-plant-pussy.html

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/pussy-willow

Thanks for using our service and hope this helps!!