Not for me. Not in my yard. But if you’d like to have a Pussy Willow in your backyard, don’t let me stop you.
Pussy Willows are prized for the furry catkins that appear early in spring. The catkins won’t be noticed from a distance, but up close they look quite delightful. Kids find them amusing because their greyish flowers are like no other plant.
Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is a native plant often found in swampy areas or along ditches and waterways where there is ample moisture available. Two other Pussy Willows (Salix caprea and Salix cinerea) are European imports with similar characteristics. Black Pussywillow (Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’) is a smaller growing new introduction with black stems and deep purple catkins.
An interesting characteristic of Pussy Willow is that males and females grow on separate plants. Males produce the early spring catkins, while females produce a later, smaller, less attractive catkin.
The downfall of Pussywillow occurs as soon as the catkins drop. The plant grows and spreads quickly reaching heights of over 6 metres. Leaves are a dull green without much appeal.
Like the other members of the Willow family, Pussy Willows are quick growers, with aggressive roots. Don’t plant one near the house foundation, for fear its roots invade the drainage system. Farmers should avoid Willows because they may clog up the weeping tiles.
Pussy Willows are weak wooded and not long lived. A seemingly healthy Pussy Willow can readily sustain damage during a windstorm or may lose limbs due to disease. Pussy Willows are magnets for disease and insects, but their aggressive growth will keep them alive regardless of pests.
Pussy Willows are easy to grow, provided they get enough moisture. Any clayey soil will do the trick. If you want to grow a Pussy Willow in sandy soil, add loamy soil to the planting hole and cover the root zone with a layer of mulch to preserve moisture.
Keep your pruning tools handy if you have a Pussy Willow. Without pruning, Pussy Willow becomes a large unwieldy plant that should be relegated to the back of a large yard. Regular pruning can keep a Pussy Willow tidy looking.
To maximize enjoyment of a Pussy Willow, prune the stems in late winter, before catkins open. Place the stems in a vase for a few days and when the catkins open, remove water, and leave in a dry vase. By keeping the stems dry, you will enjoy the catkins for several weeks.
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