The common name of these plants may have originated in an old folk tale. The story goes that kittens playing along a riverbank fell in, and the willow trees reached into the water to save them. Thus, the development of pussy willow trees. 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.

Use the above guidelines to develop soil for container-grown trees. Pussy willows can grow in sandy soil, but they often don’t grow as large as they could in richer soil conditions. It all depends on the amount of water they have. 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 A: The easiest way to dry your pussy willow branches while maintaining the small, newly-opened catkins is to display them. Cut your branches right after the catkins have opened and place them into a dry vase, or bundle them as shown above. Allow them to dry out while on display!The male flowers are also a deep yellow due to pollen distribution. Female blossoms are greenish-grey in hue. They mature to produce seeds that get carried away by the wind. 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. 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! 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. While we recommend well-draining soil for most plants, pussy willows don’t need it. They do have wide-spreading roots, so soil that is very clay-like may cause the plants to grow slowly. This may be preferable for those planting in smaller areas.

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.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. For larger plants, transplant them into the soil so that their roots can continue to spread. This will ensure the best likelihood of a healthy plant. Salix discolor after a fall coppice pruning, as the spring catkins are forming. Source: Lorin Nielsen Powdery mildew is a less-damaging problem and is treatable. You can use neem oil or copper fungicides to eliminate this issue as well. The most complicated part of caring for this gorgeous plant is ensuring that there’s plenty of water, as they’re water-loving plants. But let’s go over the most important aspects to ensure you get a lush and healthy plant! Light and Temperature

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! Pussy willows thrive in temperatures between 60° and 65° F (16° to 18° C), and can easily withstand temperatures down to 35° F (2° C). High temperatures are no problem for established trees. Water and Humidity Seeds form in the female catkins. When they are ready, the catkins will begin to release their seeds still attached to some of the white fluff. 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. In fresh arrangements, the catkins will continue to develop into full flowers as the stalks will still have access to water. These fluffy blossoms are often used as part of Chinese New Year celebrations, tied together in clusters with red felt. As they will develop roots in water, it is possible to use them as a fresh arrangement and then plant them later!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 While many people never have to fertilize their pussy willows, occasionally there can be nutrient imbalances in the soil. You will see the classic signs of those. For example, in the photo in the “pruning” segment above, you can see one very yellowed leaf that appears to have burned edges.