Goat Willow aka Pussy Willow Bare Root - Salix Caprea
The Goat Willow, affectionately known as Pussy Willow, is one of Britain's most cherished native trees, famous for its soft, silvery catkins that herald the arrival of spring. These delightful "pussy willow" catkins appear in late winter, providing crucial early nectar for bees and bringing joy to generations of nature lovers. Adaptable, fast-growing, and invaluable for wildlife, this bare root specimen is perfect for naturalising in wild areas, creating wildlife-friendly hedges, or simply enjoying those iconic spring catkins in your own garden.
Key Features
- Iconic pussy willow catkins – soft, silvery catkins in late winter and early spring
- Native British tree – perfectly adapted to our climate
- Vital for early pollinators – provides essential nectar when little else is available
- Fast-growing – quickly creates impact, screening, and wildlife habitat
- Highly adaptable – tolerates most conditions including wet and dry soils
- Wildlife superstar – supports over 450 species of insects and provides food for bees
- Traditional charm – classic countryside plant with cultural significance
- Excellent for cutting – catkin-laden branches beautiful in spring arrangements
- Manageable size – smaller than many willows, suitable for medium gardens
- Bare root format – economical and environmentally friendly, available November to March
Growing Conditions
- Soil type: Tolerates most soils including heavy clay, wet ground, and poor soils; very adaptable
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H7)
- Aspect: Any
- Moisture: Moist to wet, but tolerates drier conditions better than most willows
Size & Growth
- Mature height: 6-10 metres (can be kept smaller through coppicing or pruning)
- Mature spread: 4-6 metres
- Growth rate: Fast (40-60cm per year)
- Time to maturity: 10-15 years to full size
Planting Your Bare Root Goat Willow
When to plant: November through March, whilst the tree is dormant and the ground isn't frozen
Planting tips:
- Soak roots in water for 2-4 hours before planting
- Dig a hole twice the width of the root system
- Plant at the same depth as the soil mark on the stem
- Space 3-4 metres apart for hedging or screening
- Backfill with native soil mixed with organic matter
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Apply a mulch around the base
- Stake for the first 2-3 years if in an exposed position
- Can be planted in groups for greater catkin impact
Care & Maintenance
- Water during dry spells in the first growing season
- No feeding required – grows well in most soils
- Minimal pruning needed if growing as a tree
- For catkin display: Prune after catkins fade (April) to encourage next year's display
- For size control: Can be coppiced every 2-3 years to keep compact
- Cut catkin-laden branches for indoor display in February-March (this also serves as light pruning)
- Generally pest and disease-free
- Fast-growing – may need managing in smaller gardens
Seasonal Interest
Late Winter to Early Spring (February-March): Spectacular display of soft, silvery-grey catkins appear before the leaves, transforming into golden yellow as they mature and release pollen. This is the tree's star moment!
Spring: Fresh green leaves emerge as catkins fade
Summer: Broad, grey-green leaves with pale undersides create a pleasant canopy
Autumn: Leaves turn yellow before falling
Winter: Bare branches show interesting structure; catkin buds begin to swell in late winter
Wildlife Benefits
Goat Willow is absolutely exceptional for wildlife:
- Vital early nectar source – catkins provide pollen and nectar in February-March when almost nothing else is flowering
- Supports over 450 species of insects, including many specialist willow-feeders
- Host plant for Purple Emperor butterfly, one of Britain's most spectacular species
- Supports numerous moth species including the Puss Moth
- Early catkins are critical for queen bumblebees emerging from hibernation
- Provides nesting sites and shelter for birds
- Leaves eaten by various butterfly and moth caterpillars
- One of the single most important native trees for British wildlife
Ideal For
- Wildlife gardens (especially for early pollinators)
- Naturalising in wild areas and woodland edges
- Pond-side and stream-side planting
- Wet or damp areas of the garden
- Mixed native hedgerows
- Medium to large gardens
- Spring interest gardens
- Cutting gardens (for catkin stems)
- Children's gardens (soft catkins are endlessly fascinating)
- Traditional cottage gardens
Traditional & Cultural Interest
- Common names: Known as Pussy Willow, Great Sallow, or Goat Willow
- Palm Sunday: Traditionally used in Palm Sunday celebrations as a substitute for palm branches
- Spring harbinger: The appearance of pussy willow catkins has long been celebrated as a sign of spring
- Children's favourite: Soft, furry catkins have delighted generations of children
- Cut flowers: Catkin branches have been brought indoors for centuries to celebrate spring
Cutting & Display
- Cut branches in late February or early March when catkins are just emerging
- Place in water indoors and watch the catkins develop and open
- Branches will often root in water and can be planted out
- Catkins last 2-3 weeks in a vase
- Perfect for spring arrangements and Easter displays
Management Options
Natural growth: Allow to develop into a small, rounded tree (requires moderate space)
Coppicing: Cut to ground level every 2-3 years to keep compact and produce vigorous catkin-bearing stems
Selective pruning: Remove older branches after flowering to maintain size whilst maximising catkin display
Things to Consider
- Relatively fast-growing – may need occasional pruning in smaller gardens
- Can reach 10 metres if left unpruned (though easily managed to keep smaller)
- Best catkin display occurs on younger wood – benefits from occasional pruning
- Will tolerate dry conditions but grows fastest in moist soil
- Plant at least 6 metres from buildings if growing as a full-sized tree
- May self-seed in favourable conditions
- Both male and female plants exist – male catkins are showier
Design Ideas
- Spring welcome: Plant near entrances or windows to enjoy the early catkin display
- Wildlife corner: Combine with other early-flowering natives like hazel and blackthorn
- Pond-side planting: Stunning reflected in water when in catkin
- Children's area: Safe, fascinating plant for young nature lovers to observe
- Cutting garden: Grow specifically for harvesting catkin branches for indoor display
Companion Plants
Create beautiful spring combinations with:
- Snowdrops and crocuses beneath for early colour
- Daffodils for complementary spring interest
- Hazel for additional early catkins
- Primroses and violets at the base
- Other native willows for extended catkin season
Why Choose Bare Root?
Bare root trees are lifted from the field during dormancy and supplied without soil around the roots. This traditional method offers several advantages:
- More economical than container-grown trees
- Better root development and establishment
- Lower carbon footprint (no plastic pots or compost)
- Available during the optimal planting season
- Willows establish particularly quickly and reliably from bare root
Why Choose Goat Willow?
The perfect native tree for everyday gardeners:
- Manageable size – smaller than many willows, suits medium gardens
- Iconic catkins – enjoy the classic "pussy willow" display in your own garden
- Early magic – brings joy in late winter when the garden needs it most
- Wildlife champion – absolutely critical for early bees and supports 450+ species
- Easy to grow – adaptable, fast-growing, and low-maintenance
- Multi-purpose – grow as a tree, shrub, or managed coppice
- Traditional charm – part of British countryside heritage for centuries
- Child-friendly – safe, fascinating, and educational
Welcome spring early with Goat Willow – the beloved Pussy Willow that brings soft, silvery catkins and vital early nectar to your garden, supporting wildlife and delighting all who see it.
For protection from pests consider Spiral Rabbit Guards or Tree Shelters.
Please see our bare root plant guides for more information. We've put together a collect of help and advice articles covering what bare root plants are, why they are a good choice, which plants are available bare root, when and where to plant.
Deciduous plants supplied bare root during the dormancy period will not have any leaves at this time; top growth will just be brown and twiggy to start with and will come into leaf in the spring. This is perfectly normal. The plants we supply are healthy will an extensive root system. Please see the final picture for an illustration of how your plants will look when they are delivered.
Bare Root is usually dispatched between early November and late March. Exact dates vary year to year depending on the weather. We cannot guarantee availability for a certain date at the beginning or end of the season.
Important Bare Root Care
As soon as you receive your bare root plants place the items upright in a bucket of clean water immediately leaving them for at least 2 hours. Only take plants out as you need them for planting.
Q: When is bare root season?
A: Our bare root season usually runs from November to March but it can depend on the weather conditions, we'd always recommend buying at the end of autumn rather than waiting for spring.
Q: Does the plant size include the roots?
A: No, all bare root plant sizes quoted exclude the roots.
Q: What size plants will I receive?
A: Stock size varies through the season, our 'Plant Size' are give as a guide and you will receive plants somewhere in that range. We are unable to specify exactly how tall the plants will be within that range.
Q: How old will the plants be?
A: Most of our 'Plant Sizes' include the age of the plant, this is shown as a sum e.g. 1+2 which in this case would indicate that the plants are 3 years old. The first number is how long the plant has spent in the seedbed and the second is the number of year it has spent lined out in the field. Where the sum starts with a 0+ this indicates that the plants were grown from a rooted cutting.
Q: Can I get a discount for bulk purchases?
A: We offer a discount banding on bare root plants making them cheaper the more you buy, see the table on each page for details of the price within each band.
Q: Do I need canes?
A: Bamboo canes are perfect for giving young saplings, hedging plants, climbers and other tall shrubs the support they need when they start to establish. Unless you are planting in a completely sheltered spot with very little chance of wind then we would always recommend using a cane for support.
Q: Do I need rabbit guards?
A: Spiral Rabbit Guards are the most popular, low cost tree protection for young saplings, seedlings, transplants and hedging plants from browsing animals such as voles, mice, rabbits and hares. Spiral Rabbit Guards have the ability to grow and expand with the growing tree, providing a sheltered environment for the tree. It's hard to say for certain if you will require the extra protection a rabbit guard provides, if your are aware of a particular pest problem in your planting location then we would recommend using them. Rabbit Guards are not suitable for 'evergreens' please see 'Shrub Shelters' for a suitable evergreen protection method.
Q: What is a shrub/tree shelter?
A: Shrub/Tree Shelters are similar to rabbit guards but are designed for use on evergreens that would sweat and die in rabbit guards. We supply shrub/tree shelters as a kit which includes the shelter, 1 Stake and 2 cable ties, one kit is required per plant.
Q: Do I need shrub/tree shelters?
A: If you are aware of any specific pest problems in your planting area then we would recommend using a shrub/tree shelter to give your young trees or hedging plants that extra protection.
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£1.46 | ||
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£1.98 |