At the tail end of winter, fuzzy nubs start to appear along the branches of the pussy willow bushes. These soft silver tufts—as well as the plant itself—are named for their resemblance to tiny cats’ paws, and they feel very much like real fur.
The beloved pussy willows puffs are, in fact, flowers. They are one of the first to bloom, providing essential food for early pollinators. We find them especially delightful because they signal the brink of spring.
The soft coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect these early bloomers from cold temperatures. The native species in Ontario, Salix discolor, is a small, shrubby plant that can be found dotting wetlands and moist woods. They thrive in wet conditions and if you are thinking of adding one to your garden, make sure it is not close to the house foundation or any irrigation lines. Their roots will seek out moist areas.
Pussy willows are dioecious, meaning there are both male plants and female plants. Only male plants produce the fuzzy flowers. Home gardeners may be disappointed if they wind up with a female tree, but the flowers on female plants are equally funky—they just look more like greenish hairy caterpillars. Pussy willows can be pollinated by both wind and insects.
Over the years, pussy willows have been cultivated to produce a range of different catkin colors and hundreds of varieties. In the next few weeks, the spring weather will bring out the fantastical pink pompoms of the Japanese pink pussy willow (Salix gracilistyla ‘Mt Aso’), the distinctive, gothic-looking black pussy willow (Salix melanostachys), and the miniature pussy willow buds of Salix koriyanagi ‘Rubykins’. In addition to a few others, these are the ones we are most familiar with on the farm.
Once cut, pussy willow stems are in a sort of time warp – dried at their peak of fuzziness and never allowed to fully flower. But if you keep fresh cut pussy willows hydrated, you can see the whole flowering cycle and even the leafing out process. Try this by buying a fresh bunch and placing it in a vase. They may or may not still have the shiny brown bud scales that surround the catkins. When the flowers mature, you will see scores of yellow stamens emerge to cover each catkin. Eventually, a tiny clump of pollen will emerge at each end. Wait even longer and you may also see pale green, strappy leaves unfurl. If left in water, roots will appear as well.
Pussy willows have played an important role in history. The bark of the willow tree has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain and fever. It contains salicin, which is a natural form of aspirin. These plants are also a food source for many animals; including deer, squirrels, beavers and rabbits.
There are many fables and stories related to the pussy willow. A Native American legend tells of a rabbit that climbed to the top of a willow tree one particularly snowy winter. Tired after his climb, he nestled into the treetop and slept the winter away. In the spring thaw, he woke and as he jumped down, bits of his fuzzy tail clung to the tree. From that day on willow buds feature a tiny bit of fur in honour of one of spring’s busiest creatures, the rabbit.
We invite you to bring a bit of this charming springtime folklore into your home. It is a classic way to greet the season of rebirth.