Salix chaenomeloides
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-iks ky-nom-ay-LOY-deez
- Description
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Japanese Pussy Willow is a fast growing, rounded, flowering tree, in the willow family and native to China, Korea, and Japan. It is considered one of the most showy pussy willows with wonderfully large (to 3 inches) silvery-pink catkins emerging from glossy red buds beginning in late winter.
Japanese Pussy Willow prefers moist to wet soil in a sunny location that is mildly acidic or neutral. It tolerates most soil types from sandy, loam, or clay. It is cold hardy.
The plant is popular with its cuttings often used for decorations and its vigorous growth allowing for plenty of early cutting. It can withstand heavy pruning.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- chaenomeloides
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern and Eastern China, Korea, and Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Withstands heavy pruning
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule ovoid-ellipsoid.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large, rounded red flower buds. Male flowers are 1 to 3 inches, silky silver with pink to rose tinge. Female catkin is less than an inch.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple dark blue-green leaves 2 to 5 inches long. Leaf blade elliptic or ovate, 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, both surfaces are smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Polished
- Stem Description:
- Branches are dark or reddish brown and shiny.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
