Catkin distribution on Salix cinerea tends to be cluster at the tips of branches. Leaf buds form along the branches as well. They usually have a single flower around which large leaves form. Pussy Willow Care Pussy willow trees tend to be dioecious, with male and female parts on separate trees. The male plants produce the fuzzy catkins that give these trees their name. While you only need a male plant to enjoy the flowers, you’ll need female plants as well to produce viable seeds through wind pollination.

The Chinese use pussy willows as a decoration during part of the lunar new year. It’s believed to bring prosperity for the coming year. It’s also a popular Easter decoration.The largest of the varieties, Salix cinerea can grow to heights of up to 49 feet as an older tree. It tends towards a brushy habit, creating stands of willow stalks that average 13-18 feet in height. If you’re growing yours in a container, you’ll need to fertilize it. Either a balanced liquid fertilizer or a granular fertilizer will work. If you’re using a granular fertilizer, sprinkle it away from the trunk towards the edge of your container. If you’re using a liquid fertilizer, apply it beside the trunk. Before we get into the more typical pests, I feel it’s important to note that these plants are an important dietary component for a whole host of wildlife. Deer eat the leaves and branches. Squirrels eat the leaves. Some varieties of muskrat and beaver also consume leaves and branches of this shrublike plant. It’s not likely to be a problem in urban areas, but if you’re in a rural area, it’s good to know! Each of the 6 species of pussy willow trees we discuss here has its own origins. Some have origins in the eastern coast of North America. Some are native to Europe and western Asia. Still, others hail from Central Asia. All are deciduous.

When direct-planting, dip the cut end into some rooting hormone and place at least 4″ of the cutting underground for stability. Water often. Roots should develop within a couple weeks.If you want long, straight stalks for use in floral arrangements, choose coppice pruning. In this style of pruning, you take the entire plant off at 6-12″ off the ground, leaving just the trunk in place. Pussy willows are a resilient plant, even in growing environments which seem hostile. That said, there are still a few things to watch out for when growing these plants. Whether you’re encouraging shrubby, low growth or trying to develop a tree, here are a few issues you might encounter. Growing Problems Both beneficial and pestilent caterpillars find pussy willows to be a good home. While you may discover many butterfly pupae hanging from the branches, you may also discover the larvae of a number of moths, munching away. Aphids, scale insects, caterpillars, imported willow leaf beetle, bacterial twig blight, leaf blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, rust Pussy willow, glaucous willow, goat willow, great sallow, grey willow, large grey willow, grey sallow

Once this has been done all sorts of baskets or sculptures can be made and it's flexibility and versatility make it and excellent craft resource In parts of the northeastern United States, they grow along river banks or in areas with standing water…sandy soil or not. To keep your soil moist, spread 2-4″ of mulch around your pussy willow. Fertilizer Be sure you plant them far away from septic tanks, sewer lines, and water lines. Their roots grow very deep and will bore through pipe walls! They love to grow along creek lines, rivers, and riparian areas. Humidity is great for pussy willow trees. Soil Pussy willows produce prodigious amounts of nectar and pollen. This nectar and pollen supports local populations of beneficial insects and other wildlife. In some areas, as much as ten percent of the beneficial insect population lives on the produce of this plant! As new shoots form, they will become long, straight stalks. You can train them to form a living arch by adding rigid wire or framing. Or, you can harvest them for flower arrangements!You can treatleaf spot with the use of copper fungicidal agents. This is typically caused by anthracnose fungi, and is related to leaf blight. A: Often, they’re used as part of flower arrangements, both fresh and dried. If you cut them right after the catkins have opened, and allow them to dry out, the fuzzy catkins will remain in place. The stems will turn a uniform shade of brown, making them a striking addition to dry arrangements. Trying to grow longer stalks requires more nitrogen to spur plant growth. If you’re trying to grow long stalks to harvest, you should add some extra nitrogen in the fall to encourage early development.

Aphids and scale insects can be problematic for pussy willow. Both can be eliminated by regular applications of neem oil on the leaves and branches. Pyrethrin sprays can also be effective. Powdery mildew is a less-damaging problem and is treatable. You can use neem oil or copper fungicides to eliminate this issue as well. White Willow are rods that have been stripped of their bark just as the sap rises and fresh leaves start to appear, they are then left to dry out in the sunshine. If you’re repotting cuttings that you have rooted into a pot, double the size of your pot with each repotting. Try to separate the root mass when you repot. If they have become rootbound, this may be difficult to do, but it’s necessary for the health of the plant. Most cut pussy willow stems are in a sort of time warp—dried at their peak fuzziness, and never allowed to fully flower. But if you keep fresh-cut pussy willows hydrated, you can see the whole flowering cycle and even the leafing-out process. Buy a healthy-looking bunch (look for flexible, greenish stems that don’t feel brittle or look shriveled), and place in a vase near a window, changing the water daily. You can add a little flower food if you have some.

You can either wait for roots to develop or plant straight in the soil. If you wish to develop roots, place your cutting into a container of water. Change the water every few days. It can take a couple weeks for roots to begin to form.