Pussy Willow vs Falsebox - TreeTime.ca

Pussy Willow vs Falsebox

Paxistima myrsinites

Salix discolor

CUSTOM GROW

Falsebox
Pussy Willow

Falsebox is a hardy, native evergreen shrub found in forests, rocky slopes, and open woodland sites. Though small and easily overlooked among the leaves, the maroon flowers still supply nectar and pollen for pollinators such as native bees and flies. Blooming in spring, they provide an important early-season food source. Its year-round greenery adds visual interest through the winter.

Falsebox is a low-growing shrub that tolerates a wide range of conditions, including drought once established. It thrives particularly well beneath the shade of mature trees, where few other plants succeed. With its resilience and ecological value, Falsebox is well-suited for naturalization, restoration projects, and diverse landscape plantings.

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.

Falsebox Quick Facts

Pussy Willow Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.69 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Growth form: prostrate to spreading
Spreading: layering - medium
Suckering: high


Foliage: evergreen, leathery leaves
Bark: reddish-brown
Flowers: small, maroon-purple, fragrant
Bloom time: summer
Seeds: located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, NT, PE
Other Names: false box, mountain boxwood, mountain lover, myrtle boxwood, oregon boxleaf, oregon boxwood
Other Names: american willow