General Culture:
Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist soils in full sun. Consider cutting back plant hard every 3-4 years to promote new, vigorous growth.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Black pussywillow is a mounded, multi-stemmed shrub typically growing 6-10' tall. Dioecious. Attractive black male and female flowering catkins bloom in March-April before the foliage unfolds. Plumper and showier male catkins (1.5" long) are deep purplish-black with contrasting red anthers which gradually turn yellow with pollen. Attractive purplish-black stems in winter. Ovate, finely toothed leaves (to 4" long) are dark green above and silver green below.
Problems:
Susceptible to numerous foliar diseases, blights and cankers and to many insect pests including aphids and scale. Weak stems are susceptible to damage from storms and wind.
Uses:
Black pussywillow is grown mainly for its attractive black catkins, its purplish-black stems in winter and its ability to prosper in wet locations. Attractive specimen shrub for home landscapes. Grows well in moist places where other shrubs may falter. Excellent as a screen, in low spots or along ponds or streams.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2009
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