Project – Forcing Pussy Willows

On By TimelessladyIn Projects

I searched the creek banks near me several times in the last few weeks for pussy willows. There were once several stands of them, but that was before beavers moved into the creek, built a dam, and took down dozens of trees. The beavers have since been relocated to another area, but too late to save the pussy willow trees.

I decided my only course of action to have an Easter arrangement with pussy willows was to buy a bouquet of them. I did so, vased them up, placed them on the mantel, and waited for the catkins to burst through the brown buds. It never happened. My pussy willow branches must have been cut and left dry before they were sold. The twigs are not alive, their catkins will never burst out of the tight buds.

In the meantime, I read an article on preserving pussy willows. I didn’t know I could remove the bud case around the catkin by hand.

This is not as easy as it sounds…and creates a lot of mess.

Removing all the buds took about a half hour of time, but it was worth it. The arrangement looks better with catkins reflecting the light.

16 thoughts on “Project – Forcing Pussy Willows”

  7. Pingback: Plants – Pussy Willow Catkins – MINDING MY P'S WITH Q

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