Pussy willow is the name given to smaller species in the Salix genus when the furry catkins appear in early spring. The North American native plant Salix discolor, a deciduous shrub, is the most common species, though the European species S. caprea and S. cinerea are also sometimes known as pussy willow.

The furry catkins of pussy willows are one of spring's earliest harbingers. Though most often found in wild wetland areas, if you have the proper conditions, you can grow this shrub in your yard. Proper pruning allows you to show off these plants with maximum impact on your landscape.