American glaucous willow
Also known as: pussy willow
A large, vigorous deciduous shrub, to around 5m high, with downy, red-brown new shoots and scaly grey mature bark. Leaves are elliptic, toothed, dark green and often glossy on top with greyish felting underneath. Catkins appear before the leaves in spring; male catkins begin white and silky and turn yellow when ripe, while female catkins are green
Scientific classification
- Species
- American glaucous willow (Salix discolor)
- Genus
- Salix
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Shrubs
- Plant type
- 4-8 metres
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Autumn · Spring · Summer
- Season of interest
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
American glaucous willow pictures
Distribution of American glaucous willow
Distribution map
Northern America
Information to be completed
Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of American glaucous willow
Information to be completed
American glaucous willow care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningFor colourful stems or large foliage, prune hard to a low framework. Let young plants establish for one to two years first. Prune in late winter or spring, before or as new growth starts.
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Growing
GrowingGrow in any deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid shallow chalk soil
People also ask
Information to be completed
Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to willow anthracnose, honey fungus and rust diseases
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, willow leaf beetle, sawflies and willow scale insects
Explore the plant health library →
