Pussy Willow (Salix caprea)

Catkin covered branches clipped from Salix caprea (French pussy willow), as well as S. matsudana 'Tortuosa' (corkscrew willow) can be utilized effectively in decorative floral arrangements. Seasonal shaping or rejuvenation of an overgrown pussy willow should be undertaken as soon as the vitality of the catkins decline. Shrubs in moisture retentive soil can easily accept a hard pruning of up to two-thirds of the plant at this time; without sacrificing next years catkin display.

Salix caprea, as well as most varieties of willow, come equipped with invasive root systems, so be sure to plant your shrubs far away from septic tank fields, sewer lines and water lines. A low lying, slow draining problem area in your garden that discourages dry-land plants just might be the ideal spot for your "harbinger of spring".

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This Goat Willow or Eurasian Pussy Willow is a well-know woody plant by many, of course native to much of Europe and northern Asia. It is occasionally planted in landscapes and some are offered by many conventional nurseries. The leaves are about 2 to 5 inches long, with irregular teeth, wavy margins, and sort of a wrinkled aspect to the leaf. No real fall color. Like other willows, it is dioecious and there are separate male and female plants. It is only the male form that is used in horticulture in North America because the male form has the showier flowers. Therefore, this large shrub is not going to reproduce by seed in North America. It is fast growing of about 3 to 6 feet/year and lives up to 50 years. It is weak wooded and gets picked on by various cankers and leaf blights. It has a fibrous, shallow root system and is easy to transplant. It is easily propagated by stem cuttings in water or moist medium. (The American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is so very similar that differs in having twigs that mature to deep dark brown, has almost black buds, and the underside of the leaves are bluish-white and bloomy, the leaves should not be wrinkled in aspect, and the pussy flowers are slightly smaller.) Pussy or Goat Willow is not considered as an all-around wonderful large shrub for landscapes, but it is valued for its late winter flowers.

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