About This Plant
For a truly unusual early-season display, Black Pussy Willow produces masses of deep purplish-black fuzzy catkins along graceful reddish-purple stems before the foliage emerges. The dramatic catkins are especially striking against the bare branches and make excellent cut stems for spring arrangements. Fast growing and tolerant of moist soil, this distinctive shrub brings bold winter-to-spring interest to the landscape while fitting beautifully into a moody garden.
Planting & Care
How to Plant
Choose a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun. Dig a hole 2–3 times as wide as the pot but no deeper, with the top of the root ball slightly above ground level. Loosen circling roots and backfill with the native soil. Water deeply after planting and add 2–3 in of mulch, keeping it off the stems. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Watering & Feeding
Water deeply 1–2 times a week for the first season, about 1 in per week. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during heat and dry spells. Feed once in early spring with a slow-release shrub fertilizer.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged branches any time. Mulch in late fall to protect roots through the first winter.