Salix caprea 'Pendula' – Weeping Pussy Willow

A living sculpture for any garden, the Weeping Pussy Willow on a standard captures the eye with its graceful silhouette and long, sweeping branches that drape elegantly to the ground. At the first sign of spring, it comes alive with a multitude of silky, silvery catkins, transforming this shrub into a spectacular focal point that heralds the new season with style.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Deciduous, alternate, and elliptical leaves. The upper surface is a crisp green, while the underside reveals a soft, greyish tone.
• Flowering / Fruiting / Stems: Produces soft, silvery-grey male catkins before the leaves emerge in April. The stems are flexible and vigorous.
• Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun.
• Habit: Weeping and compact, typically grafted onto a standard to maintain an architectural structure.
• Growth: Fast-growing; height depends on the graft while the branches spread approximately 1.5 m.
• Soil: Prefers rich, cool, and well-drained soil, but adapts to a wide range of soil types.
• Hardiness: Excellent hardiness (Zone 3).
• Resistances: Good resistance to urban cold and pollution.

Use

• Types of Use: Ideal as a specimen plant in small gardens, perennial beds, or grown in a container.
• Decorative Benefits: Adds vertical dimension and fluid movement; provides early spring visual interest.

Maintenance

• Watering: Maintain uniformly moist soil, especially during heatwaves.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support growth.
• Pruning: Prune the branches after spring flowering to control the structure.
• Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and ensure the graft point is clear.
• Winter Protection: No specific care required once established due to its high hardiness.