My neighborhood gardening friend, Cindy, gave me a bouquet of Salix gracilistyla ‘Mt Aso,' the Japanese pink pussy willow, when she came to dinner on Valentine's Day. The branches have been sitting in a vase on the fireplace for almost a month. In that time the largest and most pink of the pussies have turned gold with the onset of pollen production.
The rest of the pussies continue to get larger and more fuzzy and leaves are coming out on some branches. Best of all, it appears that every stem is sending out roots. As soon as spring arrives for real I will be able to plant them out in the garden. Cindy told me that if you cut the branches when the pussies are pink and let them air dry, rather than putting them in water, they will dry pink. I'm filing that little tidbit of information away for next spring when I can try it for myself.
To see what other gardeners have put in a vase this Monday, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this long-running meme.
I have seen these pink pussies for sale. I wondered if they were really pink. It would be fun to have a bouquet of them. Happy Monday.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 06:33 AM
I'm so glad they've rooted for you. I think I told you I still have pussy willow stems I brought with me when I moved in 2007. They are pretty fragile by now. Maybe I need to go to a florist and look for some to buy so I can start over again. Thanks for the tip about getting the 'Mt. Aso' to dry pink.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 07:52 AM
The Vermont Willow Nursery has amazing willows if you are looking for anything unusual. That's where my friend got the pink variety. Here's a link: http://www.willowsvermont.com
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 08:48 AM
What a nice gift from your neighbor. So nice to share garden treasures.
Posted by: Susie | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 09:26 AM
What a wonderful and informative link - thanks, Linda! I'll have to do some thinking on this - willows can take over and/or get very big. And there is so much to choose from....
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 09:43 AM
Oh lovely to be studying changes in the willow - and to have it rooting too, definitely a bonus! Thnaks for sharing with us too
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10:29 AM
I love pussytoes, such a tactile pleasure~ So glad they have rooted for you. A lasting gift from your friend!
Posted by: Eliza Waters | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10:51 AM
The curly willow branches in my Anniversary bouquet (from December) have rooted and sprouted leaves. Seems such a waste to just toss them...
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:21 AM
We have a couple of varieties that we've managed to control but they can be invasive. I am thinking that I will cut this pink one back every spring so it stays relatively compact. That's assuming it takes root outdoors when I move it from the vase.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Your post REALLY makes me want to try growing pussy willow...
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 01:14 PM
Such soft and sweet little catkins! Glad that they rooted for you.
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 04:56 PM
Beautiful! And your photos are lovely, too. What a sweet gift from your friend.
Posted by: Beth @ PlantPostings | Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10:01 PM
I was so happy to see my Mt. Aso willows blooming a few weeks ago quite by surprise (mine, not theirs, I assume). I grew cuttings in pots last year and heeled the pots into the raised beds to give them a good start but I think this spring they'll be transplanted into permanent homes.
Posted by: Erin @ The Impatient Gardener | Friday, March 17, 2017 at 10:34 PM