Pussy Willows for the Garden

One of the first harbingers of Spring are the ‘Pussy Willows’ grown for their bark colour and different coloured catkins.

Folklore

The name ‘Pussy Willow’ apparently comes from the male flowers resembling cats’ paws. There are several legends many along the lines of that some kittens were drowning in a river or a flood, and were saved by clinging or climbing up the willows.

Uses

Aspirin is derived from salicin found in the bark. The first scientific study was by Edward Stone in 1763, a vicar in Chipping Norton.

The Common Goat Willow (Salix caprea) is found in fields and hedgerows and was used for making clothes pegs, cattle winter feed and fuel (not recommended for gardens).

Ornamental Pussy Willows are used for basket weaving, garden ornaments such as tripods and flower arranging.

Wildlife

As the plants flower so early they are an important food source for insects providing pollen and nectar. Later the willow leaves support the caterpillars of sallow kitten and lunar hornet clearwing moths as well as the comma butterfly. These eggs, caterpillars and insects in turn provide a food source for birds.

Growing

Easy to grow especially in damp areas, they are best pruned back to 30cm above ground (depending on their vigour) after the catkins have finished. The coppiced ‘rods’ can be used around the garden instead of bamboo canes. However, they can root where you stick them in!

Propagation

See above. Extremely easy to propagate, stick a 45cm stem into moist ground during the winter and it should form roots quickly. Alternatively put several stems (the right way up!) into a 4 litre deep rose pot in a mix of multipurpose compost and perlite, place outside in shade and the cuttings will root in a few months.

Ornamental Pussy Willows

Salix Hookeriana (Western North America) good large silver catkins and silver leaves.

Salix Gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’ (Black flowered Pussy Willow) this has black catkins with red anthers, on dark orange stems.

Salix Udensis ‘Sekka’ (Dragon Willow or Japanese Fantail Willow) the orange stems are covered with silver catkins but unusually many of the stems and catkins are flattened and look very effective in flower arrangements. The flattened stems are caused by fasciation which in itself is found in many plants where it is usually caused by damage or frost on the growing tip. In this case it appears inherent and can be increased by hard pruning every few years.

Salix Nakamurana Var Yezoalpina (Hokkaido, Japan) If you are limited for space this is a tiny 20cm high prostrate willow with catkins. It is easily grown in a pot.

Other Willows to Grow

Salix Myrsinifolia (Black Stemmed Willow) particularly attractive when planted with Salix alba ‘Golden Ness’.

Salix Alba ‘Britzensis’ (Coral Bark Willow) becomes a massive tree if left uncoppiced but the bark is a very distinctive bright orange.

Salix Babylonica ‘Annularis’ syn. Crispa (Ram’s Horn Willow) unusual leaves are twisted into the shape of ram’s horns. This plant can be pruned hard and is loved by flower arrangers.