How to Grow and Care for Pussy Willow

Salix caprea, S. cinerea, S. discolor

Should you’re looking for a plant to liven up your backyard as quickly as spring begins, look no additional than pussy willow.

These shrubs or small timber are probably the most dependable harbinger of spring and are lined in silky, silvery blossoms in the course of the season’s earliest days.

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As well as, pussy willows are extremely chilly hardy and develop in a short time.

Their one important requirement is constant soil moisture. Should you’ve received that, give this wetland staple a attempt in your panorama.

In our information to rising willows, we talk about the cultivation necessities for the most well-liked Salix species. On this article, we’ll discuss particularly about pussy willow.

Right here’s what I’ll cowl:

What Is Pussy Willow?

Members of the Salicaceae household, there are three major species generally identified by the title pussy willow: Salix caprea, S. cinerea, and S. discolor.

The primary two are broadly distributed Eurasian species, the latter is native to and located rising wild throughout northern North America.

Though these three species are native to very totally different areas, they bear putting resemblance to at least one different in each kind and ecological perform.

All three species have grayish-green, ovate leaves, are fast rising, with straight stems, clean, grey bark, and, after all, beautiful, silver flowers in spring.

In addition they all inhabit wetland areas of their native areas the place they function essential meals sources for various bugs, akin to caterpillars.

Importantly, S. cinerea has not too long ago been listed as an invasive species in sure elements of North America. As soon as mature, this shrub may be distinguished from the opposite species generally referred to as pussy willow by the ridges, also called fluting, on its in any other case clean bark.

S. cinerea additionally grows about twice as excessive as S. caprea and S. discolor, topping out at 25 ft.

Should you determine to convey pussy willow to your backyard or yard, select one of many different two, non-weedy species.

S. caprea is also called goat willow, presumably as a result of the flowers bear some resemblance to a billy goat’s beard. This species has broader leaves than the opposite two and is commonly offered in nurseries below the widespread title French pussy willow.

S. discolor has longer, pointier leaves than S. caprea.

Each of those moisture-loving species develop to a most top of about 15 to 25 ft tall and are hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9. Owing to their quick-growing nature, each even have weak wooden that fragments and breaks fairly simply.

Should you reside in North America, I like to recommend rising native S. discolor in your backyard.

This species is a vital meals supply for a plethora of useful bugs, such because the viceroy butterfly, which makes use of pussy willow as a larval host for its caterpillars.

Mammals akin to muskrats love the tender stems and leaves of those crops and received’t usually do an excessive amount of injury as long as you may have different crops rising within the neighborhood that they’ll feed on as effectively.

Floor-nesting birds akin to geese and grouse depend upon the catkins and buds for meals in winter and early spring.

In brief, pussy willow, explicit S. discolor, creates an actual smorgasbord for wildlife.

In case your major cause for rising this plant is to have an ample provide of early spring blossoms, ensure you buy a male specimen.

Pussy willows are dioecious, which signifies that there are separate female and male crops – and the blooms will not be the identical. You might not be capable of inform which intercourse is which, so if unsure, convey dwelling a couple of and hopefully you’ll get fortunate.

Should you can examine the crops within the nursery yard whereas they’re in bloom, select these with the delicate, silver blossoms, as these are the males.

The females have inexperienced catkins that are stunning in their very own approach, however not as showy.

Regardless of being wind pollinated, each sexes produce each nectar and pollen, and are steadily visited by early-season bugs, like bumblebees.

Maintain studying to learn to get this spring bloomer established in your personal backyard.

Pussy Willow Propagation

Pussy willow may be grown from transplants or cuttings. All crops within the Salix genus famously root very readily from cuttings.

In actual fact, commercially out there rooting hormone is an artificial model of indole-3-butyric acid, a compound willows produce naturally.

Most nursery-grown crops have been began through cuttings.

Conversely, the seed could be very tough to germinate.

The seed is barely viable for a handful of days at finest, which makes rising pussy willow from seed an endeavor finest left to the professionals.

Cuttings

The best, and most value efficient option to propagate pussy willow is to take cuttings in early spring.

First, choose a 12-inch-long, straight, versatile twig from new development. Utilizing clear, sharp pruners minimize this piece off at a 45-degree angle.

Subsequent, you may have two decisions. You may choose to plant this new reducing straight into moist floor and let it root by itself, within the everlasting spot the place you need the plant to develop.

The soil has to remain fairly moist for no less than six weeks for this to work. Should you’re trying to develop pussy willow across the damp edges of a pond, planting a bunch of cuttings is an environment friendly option to develop dense cowl for wildlife.

Alternatively, you can begin your cuttings in pots. Bury the minimize finish three to 4 inches deep in a four-inch or bigger pot full of moist potting soil.

The benefit of this methodology is you’ll be able to hold a watchful eye out for any critters that wish to nibble on the delicate, succulent development of younger suggestions. The draw back is you’ll have to water your cuttings every single day.

Should you select to develop your cuttings in pots, place them in a sheltered location exterior the place they received’t be uncovered to any excessive temperature fluctuations.

It additionally helps to maintain them out of vibrant solar so the soil doesn’t dry out too rapidly.

Filling a baking tray with an inch of water and inserting the pots within the water will assist the potting soil regularly wick up moisture and keep hydrated.

Roots ought to begin to develop in 4 to 6 weeks, at which level, new leaves will start to emerge. Whenever you see new development, your cuttings may be planted within the floor by following the instructions under.

Transplants

Planting pussy willow as a potted transplant is the quickest option to set up a mature specimen in your backyard.

Be sure you select a location with constantly moist soil and full to half solar.

Dig a gap as vast and the identical depth because the container your pussy willow is at present rising in.

Gently take away the plant from its pot, and place it within the floor on the similar degree because it was within the unique container. Backfill with soil and water in effectively.

The way to Develop Pussy Willow

There’s not an entire lot of exhausting work to be completed in terms of rising pussy willow.

So long as you select a spot with constantly moist to moist soil in full solar to half shade, your shrub will probably be glad.

If in case you have a pond, marsh, or rain backyard that doesn’t keep dry for lengthy intervals of time, give these areas a attempt!

These shrubs will tolerate quite a lot of soil sorts, so long as the bottom stays constantly damp. A really perfect pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is most popular however extra essential is constant moisture.

Don’t permit the soil to dry out and water when the floor is simply dry to the contact.

Keep in mind pussy willow has pretty fragile wooden that can snap in sturdy wind, so you’ll want to plant them someplace you received’t need to do fixed clear up.

Permitting small branches to interrupt down naturally feeds bugs and the soil. A bit of mess is an efficient factor!

Species within the Salix genus additionally are likely to have very aggressive, quick spreading roots, so ensure you don’t develop them close to foundations, driveways, or underground pipes the place they may trigger injury.

Rising Suggestions

• Plant in moist soils and preserve even moisture.
• Website in a location with full solar or a bit shade.
• Select a spot the place the roots received’t disrupt foundations or underground pipes.

Pruning and Upkeep 

S. discolor and S. caprea are the laidback gardener’s dream. These two species will flourish with no calls for past constantly moist soil.

Nonetheless, if you wish to hold your pussy willows neat and tidy, attempt reducing them again each three to 5 years. Typically talking, the species on this vigorous genus don’t thoughts a tough prune.

These crops should be pruned in the course of the winter when they’re dormant, in any other case the branches will exude prolific quantities of sap.

To start, minimize away any lifeless, misshapen, or crossing branches utilizing a pointy, clear, pruning noticed. Attempt to take away these branches as near the primary trunk as doable.

Subsequent, take away the biggest and oldest branches. This can encourage new, extra floriferous development to emerge within the spring.

Pussy Willow Species and Cultivars to Choose

There’s not an entire lot of selection to select from within the pussy willow world. Sometimes, the straight species crops present probably the most ecological worth for wildlife.

S. discolor

Yow will discover S.discolor, the North American native species, out there at Nature Hills Nursery.

S. caprea

Nature Hills additionally carries S. caprea crops in #3 containers.

There are a few cultivars out there in the event you’d like one thing a bit bit totally different:

Rosea

S. discolor ‘Rosea’ is a pretty cultivar that retains all of the pleasant traits of the species plant however boasts rose-pink male flowers come spring.

‘Rosea’

Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9, pink pussy willow is out there from Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.

Pendula

S. caprea ‘Pendula’ aka weeping French pussy willow, reaches a most top of eight ft and grows in a single-trunked, upright, fountain form.

Sustaining the weeping kind does require constant yearly pruning, however, aside from that, it’s simply as straightforward to take care of because the straight species. Give it a attempt in USDA Zones 4 to 9.

‘Pendula’

Yow will discover crops out there at Nature Hills Nursery. 

Managing Pests and Illness

Though rising pussy willow is fairly simple, these species are the unlucky victims of fairly a couple of pests and illnesses.

However take into account when rising native crops, some insect injury ought to at all times be anticipated.

In any case, you need native wildlife to make the most of the crops in your backyard nonetheless they see match. Constructing this type of edible, usable habitat for wildlife is the title of the native plant recreation.

Beneath are a couple of pathogens that may actually be damaging to those crops. These are those to maintain an eye fixed out for.

Bugs

Species within the Salix genus are among the many most essential species for native bugs.

Many species of creepy crawlies munch on the leaves of various kinds of willows and, for probably the most half, that’s good!

However there are a pair that would spell hassle on your tree.

Aphids

Purportedly, there are over 120 species of aphids that feed on these crops.

You most likely already know these backyard pests are fairly indiscriminate in terms of their food plan, however willows actually are certainly one of their favourite dishes.

Aphids are small, squishy, inexperienced, brown, black, or pale yellow bugs that feed by piercing delicate plant tissues with lengthy, straw-like mouthparts.

Sucking out vitamins and water from their hosts, they trigger leaf curl, shoot dieback, and lay the groundwork for all kinds of different illnesses like sooty mould.

Salix crops produce an abundance of sap and because of this, aphid populations can explode quickly after they feed on these small timber.

Keep in mind, as an essential participant within the ecosystem, pussy willow will entice all kinds of different wildlife which can feed on aphids, akin to ladybugs, spiders, and even sparrows and warblers.

Earlier than you get away the pesticides, examine your plant to see if it’s managing to maintain the infestation at bay by itself. Watch and see if any wildlife is having fun with the banquet.

Willow Borer

The white larvae of this small, knobbly, brown and black weevil trigger department and crown dieback in lots of timber, together with willows.

Grownup willow borers (Sternochetus lapathi) chew slits within the bark and lay clusters of tiny eggs.

After hatching, the larvae tunnel into the cambium, proscribing nutrient and water switch from the roots to the cover.

Coarse wooden shavings and sap leaking from the holes within the bark are good clues you may have a borer infestation in your fingers.

The pupae develop contained in the plant, rising as adults within the fall. This subsequent era lays extra eggs and the cycle continues.

Presently, there aren’t any pesticides particularly registered to manage this pest. If you wish to pursue chemical management, converse to a licensed skilled about your choices.

Harvesting and burning the infested parts of the tree may also help lower the variety of bugs in your panorama.

Though willows can stand up to aggressive pruning, a severely weakened specimen could not be capable of bounce again so proceed with warning and seek the advice of an arborist if the infestation is extreme.

Illness

Plant your pussy willows in full solar and moist soil and they’re going to thrive, develop sturdy, and for probably the most half, be capable of handle any illnesses that come their approach.

Beneath are a couple of that may trigger critical hassle.

Cytospora Canker

The fungus Cytospora chrysosperma sometimes positive aspects entry into plant tissue through wounds on the trunk or branches. An an infection first seems as darkened, sunken lesions on the bark.

These lesions can unfold, forming massive rotten areas referred to as cankers which will ooze sap and really feel delicate to the contact.

Because the fungus produces spores, yellowish protrusions emerge from the canker. That is usually when gardeners first discover this illness. It’s additionally, sadly, very tough to manage cytospora canker at this late stage.

Should you occur to catch this illness as it’s simply starting, use a clear, sharp pair of pruners to chop away any contaminated branches.

Minimize effectively under the lesion and scrub your pruners with rubbing alcohol in between every minimize to ensure you’re not spreading any fungal spores.

Sadly, this apply doesn’t usually work because the fungus is already plentiful all through the plant and within the close by surroundings.

Happily, this illness is normally solely deadly in specimens which might be already confused from insufficient water, crowding, or mechanical damage. Be sure to plant your pussy willows in a spot they’ll love!

Bacterial blight 

This situation is brought on by a number of canker-causing bacterial species within the Pseudomonas genus.

Within the first 12 months, the an infection creates cankers comparable in look to these produced by Cytospora.

Overwintering throughout the canker, the pathogens emerge in spring and infect younger twigs and buds, inflicting new foliage to go limp and switch brown.

Bacterial blight may be managed utilizing the identical strategies talked about above, nonetheless, pruning can and infrequently does serve to unfold this hassle making illness.

As a substitute, you should use copper fungicide. Apply your chosen product generously everywhere in the crops previous to them leafing out.

Bonide Copper Fungicide

Yow will discover Bonide Copper Fungicide out there from Arbico Organics.

Be sure when utilizing any chemical substances to at all times observe all instructions on the label very rigorously.

Willow Blight

Willow blight is a typically deadly illness brought on by an infection by two totally different pathogens.

Black canker is a fungal an infection brought on by Glomerella miyabeana that creates, you guessed it, squishy, black cankers on broken bark.

The spore-producing filaments are pink, and function a conspicuous diagnostic characteristic.

Willow scab is brought on by one other fungal pathogen (Venturia saliciperda) that first infests younger leaves, ultimately spreading to younger twigs and turning new development brown.

Olive-brown lots of spores kind on the underside of leaves and are a certain signal of an infection.

If in case you have these two heavy-hitting illnesses together, clear up affected leaf litter and burn it.

Functions of copper fungicide could assist if utilized early in spring, as will cautious pruning.

As with most different illnesses of native and really hardy species, timber change into significantly vulnerable if planted in an inappropriate location. So assume exhausting earlier than planting and select your spot properly!

Finest Makes use of for Pussy Willows

Though the early spring blossoms are stunning sufficient for any backyard, pussy willows will solely thrive the place the soil is sufficiently moist.

The sting of a wetland, river, pond, or marsh is the place this small tree belongs.

After planting, permit your pussy willow to develop a bit wild. Do not forget that insect infestations are a boon for native fowl populations, and lifeless wooden and detritus enhances the soil and its group of microbes.

Attempt to put away your instruments occasionally and let nature take its course.

If sited in an acceptable location, these crops will develop tall and wholesome very quickly, offering meals for butterflies, birds, and an entire array of mammals. What might be higher than that?

Fast Reference Rising Information

Plant Kind:	Woody shrub, small deciduous tree	Flower/Foliage Coloration:	Silver, greenish-yellow, pink / inexperienced
Native to:	North America, Eurasia	Water Wants:	Excessive
Hardiness (USDA Zones):	4-9	Upkeep:	Low
Bloom Time/Season:	Spring blossoms	Tolerance:	Acidic soil, clay soil, flooding
Publicity:	Full solar to partial shade	Soil Kind:	Moist soils of every kind
Time to Maturity:	As much as 5 years	Soil pH:	6.0-7.0
Spacing:	15 ft	Soil Drainage:	Poor
Planting Depth:	Depth of rising container (transplants)	Attracts:	Birds, bumblebees, butterflies
Peak:	As much as 25 ft	Makes use of:	Native plant backyard, naturalized areas, rain backyard, wetland edge
Unfold:	As much as 15 ft	Household:	Salicaceae
Development Price:	Quick	Genus:	Salix
Frequent Pests and Illness:	Aphids, willow borer; bacterial blight, cytopspora canker, willow blight	Species:	Caprea, cinerea, discolor

An Straightforward-to-Develop Wildlife Magnet

Should you’re on the lookout for a simple, fast-growing tree that you simply received’t have to spend so much of time fussing over, pussy willow is for you.

A favourite of many useful bugs and mammals, this plant will rapidly change into an essential meals supply for wildlife in your panorama.

Though these shrubs have their share of pest issues, web site them in an acceptable location, don’t sweat the small stuff, and they’re going to climate the worst of the problems simply tremendous.

Are you pondering of rising pussy willow at dwelling? Or perhaps you’ve seen it out within the wild someplace close to you? Tell us how your rising expertise goes, or depart any questions under. We at all times love to listen to from you!

And to be taught extra about rising willows in your panorama, try these guides subsequent: