Garden Care Guide

Goat Willow Care

Salix caprea

A native willow species known for its showy catkins (pussy willows) that open in early spring, which loves moist but well-drained soils. Unlike other willows, it is more drought tolerant, and the best time to prune is right after flowering is over.

Hardy · -35 °C / -31 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Fertilizing: Well-rotted manure or compost can be added to the soil; do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Not done. Pruning in winter causes the loss of the spring catkins (flowers). Only clear dead branches if really necessary.
  • Plant protection: Apply dormant mineral oil against overwintering scale insects if needed.
  • General care: Wait for the catkins to develop.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for signs of canker on the trunk and branches.
February
  • Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
  • Plant protection: Avoid spraying during the flowering period.
  • General care: Silvery catkins (pussy willows) open. The branches can be cut for display in a vase.
  • Frost risk: Flowers can be sensitive to frost.
March
  • Watering: If the soil begins to dry, 20-30 L/week; reduce if there is rain.
  • Fertilizing: A balanced NPK fertilizer can be applied. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Main pruning time. Prune immediately after the catkins have finished. For abundant catkin production, you can cut all branches hard back to 15-30 cm from the base (coppicing).
  • General care: Pruned branches can be easily propagated from cuttings.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for aphids.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: After hard pruning, it produces new shoots very quickly.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Keep the soil cool by mulching the root zone.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
July
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Growth continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of water stress.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Growth continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of water stress.
September
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Preparing for dormancy; next year's flower buds are developing on the branches.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • General care: The leaves turn yellow. Reduce the disease risk by clearing the fallen leaves.
November
  • Plant protection: Apply a copper-based preparation after leaf fall to prevent diseases.
  • General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
December
  • Pruning: Not done. Remember, this willow is not pruned in winter.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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