Japanese Pussy Willow Salix chaenomeloides

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Salix

  Species:

  chaenomeloides

  Family:

  Salicaceae

  Life Cycle:

  Woody

  Recommended Propagation Strategy:

  Stem Cutting

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  North & Eastern China to Southern Korea, Central & S. 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

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Shrub

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Arching

  Erect

  Multi-stemmed

  Growth Rate:

  Rapid

• 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 Drainage:

  Moist

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

• 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; 1 to 3 in. male catkins, silky silver with pink to rose tinge

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Color:

  Blue

  Green

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Leaf Shape:

  Lanceolate

  Leaf Margin:

  Dentate

  Serrate

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  3-6 inches

  Leaf Width:

  < 1 inch

  Leaf Description:

  Alternate, simple dark blue-green leaves 2 to 5 inches long

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Lawn

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Cutting Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Pollinators