Goat Willow
Salix caprea
Also listed as Salix bakko, Salix hallaisanensis
Also known as Pussy Willow, Sallow, Florist's Willow
Climate Match for your location
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A vigorous deciduous shrub valued for its early catkins that appear in late winter to early spring, providing nectar for hungry bees. It prefers moist sites and tolerates wet conditions well.
Why grow it
Goat willow flowers 2-3 weeks earlier than most native willows, making it particularly valuable for early-season bee forage when few other sources are available. It grows faster and more densely than many alternatives, making it useful for quick screening or windbreaks in wet sites. Its catkins are also notably showy, offering visual interest alongside its ecological function.
Watch out for
This species can sucker vigorously from root damage or pruning, potentially becoming dense or spreading beyond intended bounds in favorable conditions. It tends toward legginess if not pruned regularly, requiring occasional cutting back to maintain bushy form. In very dry summers, even established plants may show stress despite their general moisture tolerance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Salicaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A vigorous deciduous shrub valued for its early catkins that appear in late winter to early spring, providing nectar for hungry bees. It prefers moist sites and tolerates wet conditions well.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Goat Willow grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Goat willow flowers 2-3 weeks earlier than most native willows, making it particularly valuable for early-season bee forage when few other sources are available. It grows faster and more densely than many alternatives, making it useful for quick screening or windbreaks in wet sites. Its catkins are also notably showy, offering visual interest alongside its ecological function.
Watch out for
This species can sucker vigorously from root damage or pruning, potentially becoming dense or spreading beyond intended bounds in favorable conditions. It tends toward legginess if not pruned regularly, requiring occasional cutting back to maintain bushy form. In very dry summers, even established plants may show stress despite their general moisture tolerance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Salicaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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