Pussy Willow

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Premier Star Company
94 Northwood Drive
Rochester, N.Y. 14612

Phone: (585)-720-9785
Email: gardener@gardenersnet.com

Is a Pussy Willow a tree, a shrub or a bush? What did you guess? Early in the life of a Pussy Willow Tree (did you catch the clue), it looks just like a bush or a shrub. Keep it trimmed back, and allow it to grow four to six, or even eight feet tall, and it will continue to look like a bush or a shrub. But you guessed it, the Pussy Willow is a tree. It can grow twenty to thirty feet high, or more.

A Pussy Willow Tree is popular for it's soft, grayish, fur-like buds on long, straight stems. The buds begin to open very early in the spring. They make great indoor arrangements, and are long lasting. Bring them indoors to brighten the room. Pussy Willows bring with it the expectations of spring and a new gardening season ahead!

Floral Arrangement:
The term floral arrangement is a misnomer. They are not flowers. They are furry buds (future leaves), that we cherish in our vases and displays. Most people call them a floral arrangement anyway.

Place Pussy Willows in a vase and do not add water. They will last for weeks and usually not open. You can put water in the vase. We do no recommend it, as they will root and the buds may continue to open, ruining the look and appearance.

Growing Pussy Willows:
Pussy willows are a soft wooded tree that grows rapidly. Keep them rigorously pruned to the desired height. If you let it get away from you, you will find a twenty to thirty foot tree in only a few years. If it does get out of hand, cut the trunk off at a couple of feet above the ground. New shoots will soon emerge.

Pussy Willows are easily rooted. Place a young stem 12 to 18 inches long in water for only a couple of weeks, and the roots will grow enough to transplant. Transplant anywhere in your yard. They prefer lower land with lots of moisture to help to fuel their quick growth. Soil can be fair to poor.

Did you know? You can force Puss Willows into blooming in the middle of winter. It's easy. Just go out to your Pussy Willow tree and cut off a few stems. Bring them indoors, and place them in water. In a couple of weeks, you will have a little bit of spring in the middle of winter. When the buds reach the desired size, remove the stems from water.

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