How to Prune Pussy Willow

Why Should I Prune My Pussy Willow?

Pussy Willow is a vigorous, fast-growing shrub that can become a small tree if left to its own devices. Annual pruning after the catkin display keeps the plant at shrub size, produces the long wand-like stems that carry the most catkins, and prevents it from taking over a garden bed.

The catkins are the whole point, and pruning directly affects next year's display. New shoots grown after this year's hard pruning will be the stems that bear next year's catkins. Long, straight young stems produce the best catkin show -- which is exactly what you get from cutting back hard every year.

Prune immediately after the catkins finish, before leaves fully emerge. Cut most stems back to about one-third to one-half their total length from the ground, or harder if you need to reduce the overall size. Some gardeners cut nearly to the ground each year for a completely fresh flush of stems -- Pussy Willow handles this well.

If you're growing Pussy Willow primarily as a cut-flower plant for arrangements, harvest the stems when catkins are still in the fuzzy silver stage, just before they expand. This harvest doubles as your annual pruning.