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Salicaceae
Japanese Pussy Willow
Salix chaenomeloides
Gentle beginnings and soft resilience.
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Genus
- Salix
- Native to
- Japan, Korea, China
- Bloom season
- Late Winter, Early Spring
- Type
- deciduous shrub or small tree
- Height
- 3–6 m
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, adaptable
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 5–9
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
Did you know
- The plump, silky catkins can be dyed pink or other colors for use in floral arrangements and ikebana.
- Branches cut in late winter and brought indoors will force into catkins within days, a beloved sign of approaching spring.
- Japanese pussy willow catkins are larger and more plump than those of the American pussy willow.
- In Japan, pussy willows are traditional decorations for Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolizing coming prosperity.
- Willow bark contains salicin, a natural compound related to aspirin, which was used in folk remedies across Asia.
Color meanings
Silver
hope emerging from winter
Pink
tender new life
Grey
quiet patience