Pussy Willow

Did you know

• The soft, furry catkins that appear in late winter are actually clusters of tiny flowers enclosed in silky hairs.
• In Poland and other Eastern European countries, pussy willow branches replace palm fronds on Palm Sunday celebrations.
• The catkins emerge before any leaves appear, making pussy willow one of the very first signs of spring.
• Pussy willow branches can root in plain water, and a cut stem placed in a vase will often sprout roots and leaves.
• Male catkins are the showy silver ones used in floral arrangements; female catkins are smaller and greenish.

Color meanings

Uses

• floral arrangements
• spring decorations
• streambank stabilization
• wildlife habitat