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**** The Gardener's Forum ****]
Growing and Caring for Pussy Willows
Salix discolor
January 28,1999
Can you give me information on the proper care of pussy willow trees,such
as pruning and when should it be done? thanks
Pussy willows, Salix discolor, grow well in almost any soil but it
is a good idea to supplement it with peat moss, leaf mold or compost.
They require full sun to thrive, but will survive in the shade as well. As
with most willows, they do best when given lots of water. Although they can be
allowed to grow unpruned, the plant will benefit from regular pruning after
blooming. Prune the lowest branches back to the trunk, and prune for shape.
You can even cut the tree back to a six inch stump every 2-3 years (severe
pruning results in the longer stems and larger catkins). Flowers form
on the previous season's growth, not on new growth so
do not prune until after the flowers have faded.
For early bloom , cut branches of Pussy willows may be brought in and set
in a water filled vase in a sunny window anytime after the middle of January.
The catkins will develop and make an nice display for a considerable time.
Pussy willows are extremely easy to multiply. They root so easily that stems
of almost any size can simply be stuck into moist soil in the spring, and
they will take hold within a few weeks. The cutting must be set the right
end up (as it originally grew). Cuttings should be from new growth,
at least as thick as a pencil, and a foot or more long for direct sticking.
At least one or two buds must be above ground when the cutting is set.
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