Making Pussy Willow Arrangements

March 12, 2018

It always makes me so happy when my pussy willows are ready for picking. As true harbingers of spring, pussy willows are a terrific reminder that winter will soon be over.

Every year, my gardeners gather bunches and bunches of pussy willow branches from a grove just behind my main greenhouse. With their fuzzy little buds called catkins, they can easily make the most cheerful indoor arrangements. Not long ago, Ryan and Wilmer created three large displays for my Brown Room. Here is the easy how-to process.

Enjoy these photos.

: These pussy willows were cut several weeks ago and stored in my carport until it was time to put them in containers. They were then moved into the Brown Room and placed gently on old sheets in the middle of the floor.

: Salix discolor is the American pussy willow. They can grow up to 20-feet or even more, when left unpruned. These branches were cut to about six to eight feet.

: Once they are gathered, Ryan and Wilmer tie the bunches together with jute twine. Here, Ryan makes sure the twine is snug.

: Because these branches are quite long, he also makes sure they are tied high enough, so the branches are well supported.

: Then, using a pair of garden shears, Ryan carefully cuts the bottom of the branches, so they sit level in the urns.

: This is not difficult to do. Ryan just trims a few inches off each branch and keeps the cut off pieces – nothing is ever wasted.

: These cut pieces are put to good use as part of the arrangements.

: Once the pussy willows are in the urns upright, Ryan and Wilmer place the branch trimmings around the bunches for added support.

: Ryan checks the tops of the branches to make sure they are not touching the shades or the mirror behind them.

: He also makes sure they are not touching the ceiling.

: The pussy willows will keep their upright position. I love making large arrangements for use indoors – the bigger, the better!

: These arrangements look great in these sewer tile art pieces. Made mostly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these were valued for their color, their rarity and their form. I just love these industrial looking vessels.

: The willow buds will last for weeks and will not open as long as they’re kept dry. If you add water to your container of pussy willows, they will form roots. Here is another bunch of pussy willows – these have giant furry catkins.

: These branches are also trimmed and tied together with jute twine.

: Ryan and Wilmer place a larger bundle into the container in the other corner.

: Here Ryan adds a few of the unusual Salix udensis ‘Sekka’, or Fantail Willow with a unique, flattened form, rich color, and small catkins. He also makes sure no branches are touching surfaces that could be scratched.

: These look wonderful in this faux bois planter.

: The arrangements were so lovely, I wanted to bring some more to the office to make two more large displays in our reception area. Here’s Ryan back in the grove to pick a few more.