Salix caprea: Country Or Region Of Origin
Western and Central Asia, Europe
Plant Profile: Salix caprea
Taxonomy: Salix capreaNames
European Pussy Willow, Goat Willow, Pussy-willow
Phonetic Spelling:SAL-iks KAP-ree-uh
Genus:Salix
Species:caprea
Family:Salicaceae
A compact tree or shrub that endures significant pruning and can thrive in challenging environments. It may have a relatively brief lifespan. Additionally, this tree shows a moderate level of resistance to deer-related damage.
Tags
#deciduous
#small tree
#wildlife plant
#nectar plant
#specialized bees
#fast growing
#deer resistant
#pollinator plant
#larval host plant
#butterfly friendly
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly
#viceroy butterflies
Similar Plants
Salix caprea Feature Summary
Attributes
Western and Central Asia, Europe
This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana.
Woody
Flowers
Showy male 1-2 in. catkins in early spring
Catkin
Good Cut
Showy
Spring
1-3 inches
Leaves
Alternate, simple dark green leaves; 2-4 in. long; gray pubescent below
Deciduous
Green
Gray/Silver
Simple
Alternate
Lanceolate
3-6 inches
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Deciduous
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Erect
Rapid
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
Stem
Landscape
Cutting Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Hedge
Lawn
Naturalized Area
Butterflies
Pollinators
Specialized Bees
Short-lived
Salix caprea Image Gallery
Salix caprea Attributes
Salix caprea: Wildlife Value
This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana.
Salix caprea: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Salix caprea: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Salix caprea Flowers
Salix caprea: Flower Description
Showy male 1-2 in. catkins in early spring
Salix caprea: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Salix caprea: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Salix caprea: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Salix caprea: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Salix caprea Leaves
Salix caprea: Leaf Description
Alternate, simple dark green leaves; 2-4 in. long; gray pubescent below
Salix caprea: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Salix caprea: Leaf Color
Gray/Silver
Green
Salix caprea: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Salix caprea: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Salix caprea: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Salix caprea: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Salix caprea: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Salix caprea Whole Plant Traits
Salix caprea: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Salix caprea: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Salix caprea: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Salix caprea: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Salix caprea: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Salix caprea Cultural Conditions
Salix caprea: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Salix caprea: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
Salix caprea Stem
Salix caprea: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Salix caprea Landscape
Salix caprea: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Salix caprea: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Salix caprea: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Salix caprea: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Salix caprea: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Salix caprea: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
