Salix caprea, commonly known as Goat Willow or Pussy Willow, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and riparian zones across Eurasia. It typically reaches a height of 8–10 m (26–33 ft) with a similar spread, and is characterized by its broad, often rounded crown. The leaves are oval, 3–12 cm long, and 2–8 cm wide, which is broader than most other willows. In early spring, before the new leaves emerge, Goat Willow produces distinctive, soft, silky, and silvery catkins that are 3-7 cm long; these catkins are highly ornamental and one of the plant’s most notable features. The male and female flowers are borne on separate plants (dioecious). After flowering, the tiny seeds are dispersed by wind, thanks to their fine hairs.

Goat Willow is valued for its early spring catkins, which are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators. It is used in gardens and landscapes for naturalistic plantings, as a specimen plant, or for wetland restoration. The cultivars ’Kilmarnock’ and ’Weeping Sally’ are popular for their unique weeping form and are often grafted onto standard willow rootstocks. Goat Willow thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist to wet soils with good drainage, but it is adaptable to a range of soil conditions. It can be propagated from greenwood cuttings to create creeping mounds, although hardwood cuttings may be challenging to root. Gardeners should be aware that Salix caprea can be potentially invasive outside its native range and should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0