How to Grow and Care for Pussy Willow

Pussy willow is the name given to several smaller willow species in the Salix genus whose furry catkins appear in early spring. The name is most often applied to the North American native deciduous shrub, Salix discolor, though European species S. caprea and S. cinerea are also sometimes called pussy willow.

While typically found in wild wetlands, you can grow this swampy landscape-loving shrub in your yard with the proper conditions and pruning. Pussy willows grow quickly. Some species achieve heights of 25 feet, so they make great privacy screen shrubs.

A branch stuck into the soil will sprout a fully developed plant in a few months, and a branch in a vase makes a lovely spring decoration.

Pussy Willow Care

Pussy willows are wetland plants, and as such they need plenty of water and are an apt choice for any poorly draining locations in your yard. Here are the general care requirements for pussy willow:

• Plant them away from septic tank fields, sewer lines, and water lines, to prevent their invasive roots from damaging them.
• Keep them compact or more shrub-like through proper pruning.
• Prune to prevent ice and snow damage.
• Plant in loamy, rich soil.
• They grow best in temperate climates with cold winters, and tolerate humidity.
• Fertilize pussy willows once every fall.

Tip

To encourage pussy willow blooms, make sure these plants get plenty of sunlight, at least six hours per day but ideally more. Don't let their soil dry out too often, as they need consistent water to produce healthy flowers.

Light

Pussy willows do best in full sun, but they will tolerate some shade.

Soil

This plant likes loamy, moist, rich soil. It wants to be kept wet. It tolerates poorly-drained soil, but performance is best if the soil is well-drained, yet constantly moist.

Soil Tip

Not sure which soil is best for your pussy willow? We've rounded up our favorite potting mixes so you can be sure your tree has the nutrients it needs.

Water

These plants love moisture. You will need to ensure they have plenty of water and are not subjected to drought. In dense, water-retentive soil, about one inch of rain/irrigation per week is usually sufficient. In porous soil, your pussy willow may require more frequent watering to keep the soil constantly damp.

Temperature and Humidity

Pussy willows grow best in temperate conditions with cold winters, as is typical in the Northern United States and Canada (zones 4 and 5). They grow slower in warmer climates (zones 6 to 8). Pussy willows readily tolerate high humidity.

Fertilizer

Pussy willows can do well when fed with just compost or leaf mold. You can fertilize them once in the fall with a balanced fertilizer after the plant is more than 1 year old.

Use half a pound of fertilizer for every half inch of base-trunk diameter, spread 18 inches beyond the drip line of the branches. Don't let the fertilizer come into contact with the trunk of the plant.

Fertilizing Tip

The right fertilizer will help your pussy willow stay strong and healthy. We researched organic and synthetic options to bring you the best fertilizers.

Types of Pussy Willow

Salix discolor is the North American native plant to which the name pussy willow is most often applied. However, several other Salix species can carry the common name:

• S. caprea: This Eurasian pussy willow is also called goat willow.
• S. caprea 'Pendula': This pretty plant is the weeping pussy willow that grows like a ground cover rather than an upright bush.
• S. cinerea: Native to Europe and western Asia, this plant has a reputation for invasiveness. It has naturalized in wetlands across the Eastern United States, but should be avoided as a landscape plant.
  

Is This the Right Plant for You?

A PUSSY WILLOW PLANT IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR YOU IF:

• You have pets and want to grow something that isn't toxic when ingested.
• You have soil that retains water well—or you live in an area with lots of rain.
• You live in an area with colder temperatures and want a plant that can withstand that.

Pruning

Pruning gives new branches plenty of room to grow without touching each other and results in larger catkins. Winter or early spring is an excellent time for major pruning (not to be confused with harvesting catkin branches), taking advantage of theirdormancy to remove old growth.

1. Each later winter or early spring, harvest the tops of branches bearing catkins.
2. In winter, remove any dead branches, then cut one-third of the oldest branches back to the ground. The oldest branches are gray-colored.
3. Locate the newest (brown) branches—the vigorous new growth found lower on the main stems. The tops of these branches will helpyou gauge your remaining cuts. The next cuts will be made on the branches whose tops you harvested for their catkins.
4. Use sharpanvil pruners to cut back to the level where the newest branches are above the nodes. Cutting above the nodes that grow along theoutside(furthest from the center of the shrubs) of branches is most effective. An offshoot from the outer part of a branch will grow outward and is less likely to cross over other branches.
5. Branches that are already crossing should be removed. They shade each other, reducing the number of catkins.

Practiced every year for three years, this pruning process will keep the shrub fresh and vibrant.

Pruning Tip

Pruning with sharp, good-quality shears is important for maintaining healthy plants. We've tested some of the best pruners on the market to bring you our expert-backed recommendations.

Propagating Pussy Willows

Pussy willows can be propagated through stem cuttings or by collecting and planting seeds. The stem-cutting method is the easiest and most popular approach since planting a row of stem cuttings in a line quickly establishes a living fence.

Here's how to use the stem-cutting method:

1. Using bypass pruners, take a cutting that is about as thick as a pencil and at least one foot long from the new growth.
2. Insert the cut (bottom) end of the branch a few inches underground for stability, with a couple of nodes (the little bumps along the branch) showing above ground.
3. Water regularly, making sure the soil is always damp. Roots and new leaves will develop within a few weeks, and growth will be very rapid thereafter.

If you don't want to wait until summer, bring your pussy willow cuttings inside and root them in water. Transplant outside when thedanger of frost is past.

How to Grow Pussy Willows in Pots

Growing willow in pots is possible but usually reserved for young plants, as they tend to get overgrown and root-bound with age. Use any ordinary commercial potting mix in a large pot (any material) with good drainage.

Potted pussy willows are normally grown outdoors year-round. They don't make good permanent houseplants. In winter, potted pussy willows are best moved to a sheltered location.

These fast-growing plants will fill their pot fairly quickly, so repotting every couple of years will likely be necessary. When repotting, use a container at least twice as wide as the previous pot. It's best to divide the rootball, if possible.

Pussy willows growing in pots need daily watering, a more frequent cadence than required by in-ground plants.

Tips for Buying in Store

• Check for pests. Signs include spots on the leaves, flying insects in the soil, and webbing on the underside of the leaves.
• Inspect the roots. Make sure they aren't dense and in a large clump, and that there aren't too many roots coming out of the drainage holes. Check to ensure the roots look healthy and aren't soggy and brown.
• Read the plant label. Be sure you understand the care requirements and have a good spot for the plant in your home.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Pussy willow is prone to a wide number of disease and pest problems, though the vigorous shrub survives most any threat without much intervention, other than pruning damaged branches.

Common diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spots, gray scab, and cankers. Affected branches (or entire plants) should be pruned out. Insect pests include aphids, scale, borers, lacebugs, and caterpillars. During severe infestations, pesticides can be used.

Pests to Watch

Aphids and caterpillars are both common pests found on pussy willow trees. Aphids can be simply knocked off if the tree is small, or you can spray the tree with water or neem oil. To remove caterpillars from the tree, you should handpick them off, and do so at the first signs to prevent them from becoming an issue.

How to Preserve Pussy Willow Branches

Preserving pussy willow branches entails depriving them of water at the right time. If you harvest branches with catkins, don't place them in water and let them sit—they'll flower out and lose their beauty.

In late winter or early spring (depending on where you live), you can pick branches with catkins that haven't fully opened yet andforcethem to open inside.

1. Watch for swellingatthe nodes along the branches of pussy willows. This is the first indication of budding catkins. Pick a day with temperatures above freezing, if possible, to harvest.
2. Cut a length of a branchabout two feet long. Repeat for as many branches as you desire. Place the bottoms of the branches in a vase filled with lukewarm water.
3. With their ends submerged, cut about one inch off the bottoms. This second cut, performed underwater where air cannot act as a drying agent, will promote water intake into the branches. Add a floral preservative to the water, if you can.
4. Wrap the exposed areas of the branches in damp newspaper or cloth to preserve humidity. Place the vase in a cool, dark spot for a day or two, until the stems begin to show color.
5. Remove the newspaper or cloth. Place the vase in a cool spot (60°F to 65°F) in indirect sun. Mist the branches occasionally until the catkins appear.

After the catkins open, you can remove them from the water and preserve them for use in dried flower arrangements.

Common Problems With Pussy Willow

Pussy willows are generally fast-growing, prolific plants. However, several problems may occur with these shrubs in the landscape:

Yellowish-Green Leaves

If your pussy willow has green leaves, it likely needs more light. If it's in a pot, it should be easy to move. If it's planted in the ground, check if branches from other trees above are blocking its sunlight; pruning surrounding trees will improve the growth of your pussy willow.

Cracking Banches

In general, willows have rather weak, brittle branches. When there's wind or heavy icing, the branches may split or crack. Reduce damage by tying the branches up if there's a big storm brewing and using a broom or brush to lessen ice and snow build-up.

Wildlife Damage

Deer, squirrels, and birds like to eat the branches of pussy willows. You can protect them with chicken wireor similar fencing.

From: thespruce