Salix

Hey, that’s what the tag said, and who could pass up ‘French Pink Pussy’, certainly not the Nymphalids who love to eat it; they even spend the winter snug in a silken tube inside it. If you are not into butterflies you can always cut branches in mid winter and watch the fuzzy catkins swell and burst open prematurely, over the years the springy branches have been used for baskets and caning chairs not to mention some kinkier caning as well.

Commonly known in Europe as Laurel Willow, We saw this in Dale’s garden at Spring Meadow this fall and we were amazed at how clean the foliage was that late in the season, tropical looking leathery deep green laurel like leaves are the main feature although the catkins can be up to 5cm long.