Goat willow (pussy willow) Salix caprea
Goat willow (pussy willow) (Salix caprea) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Salicaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 4–10 m (13–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Goat willow (pussy willow) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Salicaceae |
| Mature height | 4–10 m (13–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Goat willow (pussy willow) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Goat willow (pussy willow)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Goat willow (pussy willow)
- How far apart should I plant Goat willow (pussy willow)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Goat willow (pussy willow) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Goat willow (pussy willow) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Goat willow (pussy willow)?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Goat willow (pussy willow) flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Goat willow (pussy willow) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Goat willow (pussy willow)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Goat willow (pussy willow). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Silky grey male catkins turn yellow with pollen: one of the most important first foods for bumblebee queens. Cut stems for Easter.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- European aspen Populus tremula
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- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra