At the tail end of winter, fuzzy nubs start to appear along the branches of pussy willows. What are those little nubs? Are they seeds? And why are they fuzzy? They're actually flowers just before they fully bloom. The soft coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect these early bloomers from cold temperatures. The species most commonly called pussy willow in the Northeast, Salix discolor , is a small, shrubby species of willow that can be found dotting wetlands and moist woods throughout much of North America. Even in full bloom, willow flowers hardly look like flowers at all. They have no petals or showy colors. Nor do they have any fragrance.
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When gardeners think of the first flowers of spring, they often have some of the spring bulbs in mind: snowdrops Galanthus , crocus Crocus , winter aconite Eranthis , etc. And there is no doubt they are early bloomers. Depending on where you live, they can be in bloom from January in the mildest climates to May in the coldest regions. Any willow Salix with relatively large or striking furry flower clusters is likely to be considered a pussy willow. This type of inflorescence is called a catkin, a word derived from old Dutch for kitten. Unlike most flowers, catkins have no petals. Their covering of dense hair is designed to protect delicate flowers from the cold and, inevitably, pussy willows come from cool to cold climates. Pussy willows are usually shrubs, some tall, some short, some ground-hugging.
The Biology of Pussy Willows
Pussy willow is the name given to smaller species in the Salix genus when the furry catkins appear in early spring. The North American native plant Salix discolor, a deciduous shrub, is the most common species, though the European species S. The furry catkins of pussy willows are one of spring's earliest harbingers. Though most often found in wild wetland areas, if you have the proper conditions, you can grow this shrub in your yard. Proper pruning allows you to show off these plants with maximum impact in your landscape. Pussy willows are dioecious , with the male pussy willow trees producing catkins earlier than the female trees and therefore being more highly prized. The catkins of males yield numerous tiny flowers full of pollen later in spring, and when the blooms reach this point, they are not considered decorative for floral cuttings. The female catkins bear flowers of their own that receive the males' pollen via flies and bees.
Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix willows and sallows when their furry catkins are young in early spring. These species include among many others :. The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by their ordinary names. The many buds of the pussy willow make it a favourite flower for Chinese New Year. The fluffy white blossoms of the pussy willow resemble silk, and they soon give forth young shoots the colour of green jade. In Chinese tradition, this represents the coming of prosperity. Once unbundled within one's residence, the stalks are frequently decorated with gold and red ornaments—ornaments with colours and textures that signify prosperity and happiness.
