Pussy Willows

Q. A friend of mine gave me 5 pussy willow bushes that he had started in pots. I'm not sure where to plant them or how to care for them. They seem to be doing really well in the pots right now. I live in New Jersey. I'd like to get them in the ground soon. I can't find much about pussy willows on the Internet. I'm not even sure how big they will get. Is it OK if I put them at the corner of a property that is a little low where the rain collects? Also how far apart should I plant these bushes? Should I cut these back each year?

A. Pussy willows (Salix discolor) do 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. Therefore that spot of yours should work well. Although they can be allowed to grow unpruned reaching up to 6-8' 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 a 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. I recommend that you space the plants out in the garden to about 4' as this way they can grow together and look natural. They are quite delightful. Also please give them a 2" mulch for winter protection.

Q. Can you please let me know what time of year to start new pussy willows and also how to propagate them?

A. I do not know your zone so I will recommend that you do your propagating in the Spring. The temps will be rising the hormones flowing the light getting stronger and days longer. Success is more assured at this time. This is true for so many of our garden and house plants!

Willows are not fussy plants. All prefer full sun but most tolerate some shade. They uniformly prefer wet even soggy soils but most adapt just fine to dry soils though supplemental irrigation may be required. Some such as S. caprea thrive in relatively barren soil and also tolerate salty seaside conditions. All willows are fast growing and short-lived and their wood is notably weak and prone to breaking.