Overview

Introduce the timeless charm of spring to your garden with our set of two pussy willow bare roots. These live, winter-dormant plants arrive ready for planting, offering an easy and effective way to establish a beautiful and resilient tree in your landscape. Known for their distinctive fuzzy catkins that emerge in late winter or early spring, pussy willows (Salix discolor) are a beloved herald of the changing seasons. These 1-2 feet tall bare roots are a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking a plant that establishes quickly and provides year-round interest. Our pussy willow bare roots are selected for their vigor and potential to grow into robust, attractive trees that enhance any outdoor space.

Pussy willows are celebrated for their adaptability and low-maintenance nature, making them suitable for both experienced and novice gardeners. As a cold hardy willow, they thrive in a wide range of climates and soil conditions. Their rapid growth rate means you won’t have to wait long to enjoy their ornamental beauty. Whether you’re looking to create a natural border, add structure to a garden bed, or simply enjoy the unique texture of their catkins, these bare roots provide an excellent foundation for a thriving pussy willow display. They are an ideal choice for an outdoor willow tree that brings a touch of wild elegance to your yard.

Key Benefits

Our pussy willow bare roots offer numerous advantages, making them a popular choice for various garden designs and environmental benefits:

• Fast Growth Rate: These bare roots are known for being a fast growing willow, quickly establishing themselves and adding significant height and presence to your landscape within a short period. You’ll enjoy a mature look sooner than with many other tree varieties.

• Early Spring Interest: The iconic soft, silvery catkins emerge before leaves in late winter or early spring, providing crucial early season visual appeal and a unique texture when most other plants are still dormant.

• Cold Hardiness: As a robust and cold hardy willow, these plants are well-suited for a wide range of temperate climates, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, ensuring they can withstand harsh winter conditions.

• Low Maintenance: Once established, pussy willow bare roots require minimal care, making them an excellent option for busy gardeners or those seeking a beautiful yet undemanding addition to their outdoor space.

• Wildlife Attraction: The early blooming catkins provide an important food source for pollinators like bees in early spring, contributing to local biodiversity.

• Erosion Control: Their strong root systems can help stabilize soil on slopes or along waterways, making them useful for erosion prevention.

• Versatile Landscaping: Perfect for naturalizing areas, creating hedges, or as specimen plants, an outdoor willow tree offers flexibility in garden design.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your pussy willow bare roots is straightforward, especially given their resilient nature. For optimal growth, these plants prefer full sun to partial shade, meaning they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While they can tolerate some shade, more sun generally leads to denser growth and more abundant catkins. When planting, ensure the site has good air circulation but is also somewhat protected from harsh winds, especially when young.

Pussy willows prefer consistently moist soil. During the establishment phase, water regularly to keep the soil evenly damp, but not waterlogged. Once established, they are somewhat drought-tolerant but will perform best with moderate watering, particularly during dry spells. They are not overly particular about soil type but thrive in well-draining, loamy soil. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage, while sandy soils may benefit from added compost to retain moisture. These trees are quite adaptable, making pussy willow plant care relatively easy.

These cold hardy willow trees are very tolerant of cold temperatures, flourishing in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Fertilization is generally not critical for pussy willows, especially if planted in rich soil. However, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can promote vigorous growth. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring after the catkins have faded. This encourages new growth and helps maintain the desired shape and size. Regular pruning can also prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. Watch out for common willow pests like aphids or willow leaf beetles, though healthy plants are generally quite resistant. Proper pussy willow plant care ensures a healthy and thriving specimen for years.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of two pussy willow bare roots, each measuring approximately 1-2 feet tall at the time of shipment. These are young, dormant plants, ideal for easy handling and successful transplanting. Bare roots allow for a natural establishment process, as the plant focuses its energy on developing a strong root system upon planting. Expect rapid growth once established, with these plants quickly gaining height and spread. A mature outdoor willow tree can reach heights of 15-25 feet with a similar spread, depending on pruning and growing conditions.

These fast growing willow trees are shipped dormant, which is the ideal state for planting to minimize shock and maximize successful establishment. They are typically one year old, ensuring a robust start. The dormant state means there will be no leaves upon arrival, and the roots will be exposed, ready to be planted directly into the ground. While they are quick to grow, the full ornamental display of catkins will become more pronounced in their second year and beyond. This set provides a perfect foundation for creating a beautiful and resilient landscape feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: A mature outdoor willow tree can typically reach heights of 15-25 feet and a similar spread. Regular pruning, especially in late winter, can help manage its size and shape, making it suitable for various garden spaces.

• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: These are shipped as pussy willow bare roots, meaning they do not come in a pot. They are dormant plants with exposed roots, ready for direct planting into your garden soil upon arrival to encourage rapid establishment.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The pussy willow bare roots are designed for outdoor planting. They are a hardy deciduous tree that requires a period of winter dormancy to thrive and produce their signature catkins in spring.

• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Pussy willows prefer full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. More sun generally leads to more vigorous growth and a greater abundance of catkins.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, these are considered low-maintenance trees. Once established, they are quite resilient and adaptable, making pussy willow plant care relatively easy for gardeners of all experience levels.

• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your pussy willow bare roots will arrive in a dormant state, without leaves, ensuring they are ready for successful planting. The roots will be carefully packaged to retain moisture during transit.

• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant bare root trees is in early spring, after the danger of hard frost has passed, but before the plant breaks dormancy. This allows the roots to establish before the stress of summer heat.

• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, this is a cold hardy willow, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. It is naturally adapted to withstand cold winter temperatures and requires a cold period for proper growth and catkin production.

• Q: Can I use pussy willow branches for floral arrangements? A: Absolutely! Pussy willow branches with their fuzzy catkins are highly prized for early spring floral arrangements and decorative displays, both fresh and dried. This is a common use for an outdoor willow tree.

• Q: What type of soil is best for pussy willows? A: Pussy willows are adaptable but prefer moist, well-draining soil. They can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand, as long as there is adequate moisture and drainage.