Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pussy Willows



Spring is finally here!

Despite the fact that she is late this year, spring is not offering any explanation or making any apologies. She is, after all, a force of nature who does just as she pleases.

On Saturday, we enjoyed a wonderful sunny day here; the first really warm day of the season.  With the last of the snow now gone, my spring bulbs are finally brave enough to poke their heads up out of the soil.


Pussy willows have appeared along with the fine weather.  Every spring, the lady across the street gathers them in bunches and puts them out for sale on her front lawn.


What kind of good neighbor would I be if I didn't buy a few bunches?


 So soft and furry! Were you fond of pussy willows as a child too?


I took a few of the branches and twisted them together. I fastened each of the ends with a twist tie, bent the branches into a gentle curve, and inserted the ends into a small bucket of water. The pressure of the curved branches against the side of the bucket seemed to be enough to keep them in the shape of a handle. Then to finish it off my little arrangement, I added purple hyacinths.


The rest of the pussy willows went into a tall, cylindrical, glass vase.


In the past, I always put my pussy willow branches into water. Tiny yellow flower buds and leaves quickly emerged. 

When I bought my branches last Saturday however, I noticed my neighbor had them standing in empty buckets. No water. I surmise that this method keeps the branches in stasis. So I am going to give it a try.

Pussy willows (salix discolor) are easy to grow from a cutting. Give the branch a fresh cut and place it in water. When roots develop, plant the branch in the ground. (You don't take my word for it- visit Martha for the goods on multiplying pussy willows.)

Today I am participating in Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen. I added her Warm Sun texture to my images. Click the link here to see the other entries.

17 comments:

  1. Piękne bazie, u nas już przekwitają, pozdrawiam.

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  2. I loved them as a child and still do! I like your basket, fashioned out of a pussy willow handle and hyacinths.

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  3. I like what you did with them, twisting them into a handle. It looks like a fuzzy handled pail.

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  4. Nothing says spring like pussy willows and hyacinths. I love these photos.. such a sweet little arrangement.

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  5. I love pussy willows and I love your arrangement with them!
    Your photos are beautiful!

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  6. I love pussy willows and am teaching my kids to love them and their softness. Your arrangement is beautiful - I love how you bent the branches - it looks like a bucket handle. And the hyacinths are such a pretty pink/purple. No water - I always wondered about that too. Funny, I just posted about pussy willows too!

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  7. I like the texture on your photos. I always love your header photos, but I am such a sucker for pansies....just love them!
    Really like your pussy willows in all the various arrangements. Yes, I loved them as a child.

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  8. So many lovely pictures and edits. We have still little snow but we going slowly towards to blooming spring like you. I'm so anxious to see all new growing. I wish you a lovely time there with beautiful spring:)
    Greetings from Finland

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  9. Lovely photos and a great tip for rooting my own.

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  10. You are so talented in flower arrangement. We have late summer and early fall this year.

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  11. Beautiful photos with great texture. I just discovered Texture Tuesday recently. That pussy willow handle is a great idea.

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  12. Hola Jennifer, amazingly beautiful photography and outstanding garden, such a feast to the eyes!!!
    Everything beautiful in your blog.
    sorry to come so late to visit you.
    hugs from Chile

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  13. I loved pussy willows as a child and still do! There's something about a plant that you can stroke. Lamb's ears are another favourite.

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  14. Such a cool plant, the texture alone makes it interesting for arrangments. :)

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  15. How lucky to have a neighbor sell them. I'd probably buy her out I like them so much! Creating the basket handle is clever too. I'm glad it's finally warmed up for you. You'll have some gorgeous photos of your garden to share with us soon I bet.
    We had rain yesterday which turned to snow overnight. So far it's just sticking to the grassy areas but I haven't turned on the TV for a weather update. Hoping it will switch back to rain! Happy Spring!

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  16. Very pretty! I love pussy willows too...it seems like I never see them any more though. I wishing and waiting for spring to show herself here where I am :)

    ~Tricia

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  17. Yes, absolutely I was fond of Pussy Willows as a child and still am! We had a big Pussy Willow in our back yard. The texture is beautiful in arrangements!

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