The Goat Willow (Salix caprea), is a hardy, fast-growing deciduous tree that can be an attractive addition to a spacious garden in cooler climates. They aren't too big, growing up to ten meters high, and are often shaped into a large rounded shrub.They have oval-shaped leaves, rather than the long, thin variety usually seen on Willow species, and their soft, silvery catkins are fantastic pollinators that are attractive to bees.They're one of two species commonly referred to as Pussy Willow and can be easily confused with the North American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor).Although they're similar, the Salix Caprea is generally referred to as the European Pussy Willow, where it's a native species, and its larger catkins develop into long, attractive flowers.The male variety of this plant is a preferred choice for ornamental purposes and adds a lot of interest in winter and early spring.The woolly catkins that emerge before winter are larger and have a pretty pink-silver shade that turns yellow as they ripen. They're more eye-catching than the smaller green variety found on female trees.
