Pussy Willow vs Green Bulrush - TreeTime.ca

Pussy Willow vs Green Bulrush

Salix discolor

Scirpus pallidus

CUSTOM GROW

Pussy Willow
Green Bulrush

Pussy Willow is a large shrub or small tree that produces catkins that are soft, silky, and silvery before leaves appear in the spring. This native willow prefers moist to wet soil.

Pussy Willow makes a beautiful accent tree, and its bright branches can be used for floral arrangements or basket making.

All willow are important to native pollinators each spring as they have higher amounts of pollen and nectar early each growing season when other food sources are scarce.

Green Bulrush is a common waterside plant, suitable for erosion control and land reclamation. Despite this, Green Bulrush is very drought resistant once established. Bulrushes can cool nearby areas on hot days.

Unlike many of the other waterside plants available, Green Bulrush does not attract wildlife. This makes it a good choice for surrounding residential water sources.

Green Bulrush is topped with spiky balls of florets, green in the spring and fading to brown in the fall.

Pussy Willow Quick Facts

Green Bulrush Quick Facts

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Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Foliage: long thin whitish green
Flowers: green spiked clusters
Seeds: located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, NT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON
Other Names: american willow
Other Names: cloaked bulrush, pale bulrush, pale-green bulrush