Salix caprea, S. cinerea, S. discolor
If you ’re seek for a industrial plant to wreak life to your garden as soon as spring begin , search no further than pussy willow tree .
These shrubs or small trees are the most reliable harbinger of bounce and are covered in silky , silverish efflorescence during the season ’s early years .
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In addition , puss willow are incredibly cold fearless and arise very quickly .
Their one vital requirement is consistent land moisture . If you ’ve got that , give this wetland staple a try in your landscape .
Inour guide to growing willows , we discuss the culture requirement forthe most popularSalixspecies . In this article , we ’ll speak specifically about pussy willow .
Here ’s what I ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Pussy Willow?
Members of the Salicaceae fellowship , there are three main species usually recognize by the name puss willow : Salix caprea , S. cinerea , andS. discolor .
The first two are wide circulate Eurasian species , the latter is native to and found growing unwarranted across northerly North America .
Although these three species are native to very different regions , they bear striking resemblance to one other in both physique and ecological map .
All three species have grayish - green , ovate leaves , are flying farm , with neat stems , smooth , gray bark , and , of course , sensational , silver peak in spring .
They also all inhabit wetland areas in their aboriginal regions where they help as important food sources for different insect , such as caterpillars .
Importantly , S. cinereahas recently been heel as an encroaching species in sure parts of North America . Once mature , this shrub can be discover from the other species commonly known as puss willow tree by the ridge , also make love as fluting , on its otherwise smooth bark .
S. cinereaalso grows about twice as high asS. capreaandS. discolor , topping out at 25 foot .
If you decide to bring pussycat willow tree to your garden or backyard , opt one of the other two , non - weedy species .
S. capreais also known as goat willow , presumably because the flowers bear some resemblance to a billy goat ’s beard . This species has broad leaves than the other two and is often sold in greenhouse under the common name French pussy willow tree .
S. discolorhas longer , pointier leaves thanS. caprea .
Both of these wet - make love species grow to a maximal height of about 15 to 25 foot tall and are hardy in USDA geographical zone 4 to 9 . Owing to their quick - growing nature , both also have weak wood that fragments and breaks quite easy .
If you live in North America , I recommend growing nativeS. discolorin your garden .
This species is an important food for thought rootage for a plethora ofbeneficial insects , such as the vicereine butterfly , which uses pussy willow tree as a larval host for its Caterpillar .
mammal such as muskrats love the tender halt and leaves of these plant and wo n’t generally do too much damage so long as you have other plants growing in the neck of the woods that they can tip on as well .
Ground - nesting skirt such as ducks and grouse depend on the catkins and buds for intellectual nourishment in winter and early spring .
In short , cunt willow tree , particularS. discolor , creates a real smorgasbord for wildlife .
If your main understanding for growing this plant is to have an ample supplying of early spring blossoms , make certain you purchase a manlike specimen .
Pussy willow tree are dioecian , which intend that there are freestanding virile and distaff plants – and the blooms are not the same . You may not be able to tell which sexual practice is which , so if in dubiety , land home a few and hopefully you ’ll get lucky .
If you’re able to inspect the industrial plant in the greenhouse yard while they ’re in bloom , prefer those with the soft , silvern bloom , as these are the males .
The females have green ament which are beautiful in their own fashion , but not as showy .
Despite being wind pollinated , both sexes produce both nectar and pollen , and are frequently visited by former - season insects , like bumblebee .
Keep reading to learn how to get this spring fuckup establish in your own garden .
Pussy Willow Propagation
purulent willow can be uprise from transplantation or cuttings . All plants in theSalixgenus famously root very readily from cutting .
In fact , commercially available rooting hormone is a synthetic version of indole-3 - butyric Zen , a chemical compound willows produce naturally .
Most nursery - grown plants have been started via cuttings .
Conversely , the seed is very difficult to germinate .
The seed is only viable for a handful of days at good , which have growing twat willow tree from seeded player an endeavor best left to the professional .
Cuttings
The well-heeled , and most be effective way to disperse pussy willow is to take cuttings in early spring .
First , pick out a 12 - inch - long , straight , pliant twig from Modern emergence . Using neat , sharp pruners cut this piece off at a 45 - stage slant .
Next , you have two selection . you’re able to opt to plant this young cutting directly into moist ground and get it root on its own , in the lasting maculation where you want the plant to grow .
The soil has to last out pretty wet for at least six week for this to work . If you ’re attempting to grow pussy willow around the damp edge of a pool , planting a bunch of cuttings is an efficient style to grow dumb cover for wildlife .
instead , you’re able to start your cuttings in pots . inhume the slice end three to four inch deep in a four - column inch or larger pot fill with moist potting dirt .
The vantage of this method is you could keep a sleepless eye out for any critter that like to nibble on the soft , succulent maturation of young tips . The downside is you will have to water your cuttings every day .
If you choose to develop your cuttings in pots , point them in a sheltered location outside where they wo n’t be exposed to any extreme temperature fluctuation .
It also help to keep them out of bright Dominicus so the soil does n’t dry out too quickly .
Filling a baking tray with an column inch of water and placing the batch in the water will help oneself the potting soil continually wick up moisture and stay hydrated .
Roots should start to grow in four to six workweek , at which point , new leaves will start to emerge . When you see unexampled ontogeny , your cutting off can be planted in the ground by observe the steering below .
Transplants
Planting pussy willow as a potted transplant is the quickest way to establish a fledged specimen in your garden .
Make certain you take a location with consistently dampish grime and full to part sunshine .
apprehend a mess as wide and the same astuteness as the container your slit willow is currently growing in .
Gently take out the plant life from its green goddess , and place it in the ground at the same point as it was in the original container . Backfill with grunge and pee in well .
How to Grow Pussy Willow
There ’s not a whole lot of punishing piece of work to be done when it comes to growing cunt willow .
As long as you prefer a slur with consistently moist to wet soil in full Lord’s Day to part shade , your shrub will be happy .
If you have a pond , marsh , or rain garden that does n’t rest dry for long periods of time , give these areas a try !
These shrubs will tolerate a smorgasbord of soil eccentric , as long as the ground stays consistently moist . An ideal pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is prefer but more important is coherent wet .
Do n’t admit the soil to dry out and water when the airfoil is just dry to the touch .
Bear in mind slit willow has fairly fragile forest that will snap in impregnable wind , so be sure to imbed them somewhere you wo n’t have to do constant clean up .
Allowing small arm to split down by nature feed worm and the stain . A little muss is a good thing !
Species in theSalixgenus also run to have very aggressive , fast spread source , so check that you do n’t develop them near foundations , drive , or underground pipe where they could cause terms .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
S. discolorandS. capreaare the laidback nurseryman ’s dream . These two metal money will thrive with no demands beyond consistently damp soil .
However , if you require to keep your pussy willow tree neat and sizable , try cut them back every three to five years . Generally speaking , the coinage in this vigorous genus do n’t beware a hard prune .
These plants must be pruned during the wintertime when they are abeyant , otherwise the branches will exudate prolific amounts of sap .
To start , cut away any dead , distorted , or crossing branches using a penetrative , unclouded , pruning saw . judge to take away these limb as secretive to the main trunk as potential .
Next , remove the largest and honest-to-goodness branches . This will boost new , more floriferous outgrowth to go forth in the spring .
Pussy Willow Species and Cultivars to Select
There ’s not a whole lot of diverseness to choose from in the slit willow tree world . Typically , the straight species plants provide the most bionomic time value for wildlife .
S. discolor
you may findS.discolor , the North American native species , available at Nature Hills Nursery .
S. caprea
Nature Hillsalso carriesS. capreaplants in # 3 container .
There are a couple of cultivar available if you ’d like something a petty bit different :
Rosea
S. discolor‘Rosea ’ is an attractive cultivar that retain all the delightful traits of the species plant but boasts rose - pink manly flowers come outflow .
‘ Rosea ’
Hardy in USDA zona 4 to 9 , pink pussy willow isavailable from Nature Hills Nurseryin # 3 containers .
Pendula
S. caprea‘Pendula ’ aka weeping French pussy willow tree , attain a maximum height of eight feet and grows in a undivided - trunked , upright , fountain shape .
keep the weeping form does want consistent annual pruning , but , other than that , it ’s just as easy to care for as the straight species . Give it a endeavor in USDA Zones 4 to 9 .
‘ Pendula ’
you could find plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Managing Pests and Disease
Although growing slit willow is fairly square , these metal money are the unfortunate dupe of quite a few plague and diseases .
But keep in mind when farm aboriginal plants , some insect terms should always be expect .
After all , you want local wildlife to utilize the plants in your garden however they see fit . Building this kind of eatable , usable habitat for wildlife is the name of the native industrial plant game .
Below are a few pathogens that can really be damaging to these plants . These are the unity to keep an eye out for .
Insects
Species in theSalixgenus are among the most important species for native insect .
Many metal money of creepy crawlies munch on the parting of different types of willows and , for the most part , that ’s beneficial !
But there are a couple that could import trouble for your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
supposedly , there are over 120 specie of aphid that feed on these plants .
You probably already know these garden pests are pretty indiscriminate when it comes to their dieting , but willow tree really are one of their favourite dishes .
Aphids are small , squishy , gullible , brown , grim , or wan yellow insects that prey by pierce lenient plant tissues with recollective , straw - like mouthpart .
Sucking out nutrient and urine from their hosts , they cause folio curl , shoot dieback , and rest the basis for all sorting of other diseases likesooty mould .
Salixplants produce an teemingness of sap and as a result , aphid populations can explode rapidly when they feed on these small trees .
think back , as an significant actor in the ecosystem , pussy willow will draw all sort of other wildlife which may fertilize on aphid , such as ladybugs , spiders , or even dunnock and warblers .
Before you break out the insecticides , inspect your works to see if it ’s oversee to keep the infestation at bay on its own . find out and see if any wildlife is enjoy the banquet .
If you discover shoot dieback or leaf curl , an practical program of insecticidal soap , such as Safer Brand , will help disembarrass your plants of aphid .
Safer Insecticidal max
It’savailable via Amazon .
Even if you expend a very mild production such as this , always come after all the direction on the back of the nursing bottle .
If you do n’t want to apply any products , try give your industrial plant astrong rinse with a hoseon full blow to knock the pests off the leave and branches .
The lily-white larvae of this small , knobbly , chocolate-brown and black weevil cause offshoot and crest dieback in many trees , including willows .
full-grown willow tree borers ( Sternochetus lapathi ) quid twat in the barque and lay clusters of tiny eggs .
After hatching , the larvae burrow into the cambium , restricting nutrient and water conveyance from the roots to the canopy .
Coarse wood shavings and sap leaking from the gob in the bark are good clues you have a borer infestation on your mitt .
The pupae grow inside the plant , emerging as grownup in the drop . This next genesis put down more eggs and the cycle go along .
Currently , there are no pesticides specifically registered to control this pest . If you want to quest after chemical control , verbalize to a licensed professional about your options .
harvest home and burning the infested portions of the tree can help decrease the number of worm in your landscape painting .
Although willow can withstand strong-growing pruning , a severely weaken specimen may not be able-bodied to bounce back so proceed with caution and consult an arborist if the infestation is severe .
Disease
constitute your slit willow in full Dominicus and moist territory and they will prosper , grow unattackable , and for the most part , be able to manage any diseases that come their way .
Below are a few that can induce serious trouble .
The fungusCytospora chrysospermatypically realise entry into plant tissue via wounds on the trunk or branches . An infection first appears as darkened , sunken lesions on the bark .
These lesions can distribute , forming with child rotten area called pestilence that may ooze sap and feel delicate to the touch .
As the fungus produces spores , yellow protrusions emerge from the pestilence . This is often when gardener first mark this disease . It ’s also , unhappily , very hard to control cytospora canker at this late stage .
If you bump to fascinate this disease as it is just set out , use a clean , shrill pair of pruner to cut away any infected branches .
Cut well below the lesion and scrub your pruning hook with rubbing alcohol in between each slash to check that you ’re not spreading any fungal spores .
alas , this practice does n’t often work as the fungus is already abundant throughout the plant and in the nearby surround .
fortuitously , this disease is commonly only fatal in specimens that are already stressed from short water , crowding , or mechanically skillful harm . Make trusted to plant your pussy willow tree in a daub they ’ll love !
This consideration is because of several canker - make bacterial metal money in thePseudomonasgenus .
In the first yr , the infection create pestilence similar in appearance to those produced byCytospora .
overwinter within the canker , the pathogen emerge in spring and infect vernal twig and buds , causing unexampled leafage to go limp and work brown .
Bacterial blight can be operate using the same method observe above , however , pruning can and often does serve to unfold this trouble making disease .
As an alternative , you could apply cop fungicide . employ your select ware munificently all over the plants prior to them thumb out .
Bonide Copper Fungicide
you’re able to determine Bonide atomic number 29 Fungicideavailable from Arbico Organics .
check that when using any chemicals to always follow all counselling on the recording label very carefully .
willow tree blight is a sometimes fateful disease because of contagion by two unlike pathogen .
Black canker is a fungal contagion caused byGlomerella miyabeanathat creates , you guessed it , squishy , black cankers on damaged bark .
The spore - produce filum are pinkish , and assist as a blazing symptomatic feature .
Willow scab is because of another fungal pathogen ( Venturia saliciperda)that first infests vernal leaves , eventually scatter to young twigs and turning novel growth brown .
Olive - brown masses of spores signifier on the bottom of leaves and are a sure preindication of transmission .
If you have these two heavy - hitting disease in combining , cleanse up affect leafage litter and burn it .
Applications of copper fungicide may serve if applied early in leaping , as will deliberate pruning .
As with most other disease of native and very hardy specie , trees become specially susceptible if planted in an inappropriate placement . So think hard before planting and choose your slur wisely !
Best Uses for Pussy Willows
Although the former spring blossoms are beautiful enough for any garden , kitty-cat willows will only flourish where the territory is sufficiently moist .
The edge of a wetland , river , pool , or marsh is where this little tree belongs .
After planting , appropriate your pussy willow to grow a little wild . Remember that dirt ball infestations are a boon for aboriginal bird populations , and dead wood and rubble enhance the territory and its community of bug .
seek to put away your tools once in a while and let nature take its course .
If sit in an appropriate positioning , these plants will grow tall and healthy in no clock time , providing food for butterfly stroke , skirt , and a whole raiment of mammals . What could be better than that ?
Quick Reference Growing Guide
An Easy-to-Grow Wildlife Magnet
If you ’re looking for an comfortable , fast - grow tree that you wo n’t have to spend a mess of metre niggle over , purulent willow is for you .
A favorite of many beneficial insects and mammals , this plant will quickly become an of import food source for wildlife in your landscape painting .
Although these shrub have their share of pest job , site them in an appropriate location , do n’t sweat the small stuff , and they will weather the worst of the issues just fine .
Are you think of maturate pussy willow at home ? Or maybe you ’ve seen it out in the savage somewhere near you ? Let us sleep with how your mature experience is going , or leave any interrogative below . We always love to take heed from you !
And to take more about growing willows in your landscape painting , chink out these guidebook next :
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About
Molly Marquand
