Trees Planet: Salix chaenomeloides - Giant Pussy Willow

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Salix chaenomeloides - Giant Pussy Willow - Japanese Pussy Willow

General Information

Common Name	Giant Pussy Willow, Japanese Pussy Willow
Scientific Name	*Salix chaenomeloides*
Sun Tolerance	Full Sun
Height	4 - 10 m (13-33 ft)
Spread	2 -6 m (7 - 20 ft)
Growth Rate	Fast
Bloom Time	Spring
Color	Green,
Flower Color	White
Type	Shrub
Native	Asia.

Classification

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass	Dilleniidae
Order	Salicales
Family	Salicaceae – Willow family
Genus	Salix L. – Willow
Species	S. chaenomeloides

Salix chaenomeloides - Giant Pussy Willow

Salix chaenomeloides commonly known as Giant Pussy Willow also known as Japanese Pussy Willow. It is native to Japan, Korea and China. This is a deciduous, ornamental willow that grown for its large dusky-pink or white catkins. It is easy to see how these catkins raise the bar for flower arrangements. It blooms in spring. It is a large shrub that grown 4-10 m (13-33 ft) in height; light brown new growth; attractive large oblong leaves which start reddish and become yellow-green when larger; vigorous growth habit, with long spreading branches, becoming as wide as it is tall. S. chaenomeloides, biggest show is the bright red-mahogany covering that protects the pussies before they emerge. These bud-scales' combination of size and color is unique in willows, and make the shrub one of the joys of Fall and Winter. Naturally it’s grows near the banks of the rivers.

These plants are some of the earliest pollen and nectar sources for our pollinating insects and help them regain their strength after the long winter months. Pussy Willows are easily managed shrubs for border areas in the garden landscape. Once flowering is complete, plants can be pruned to the desired size and shape without disrupting the next season's bloom.