Salix appendiculata aka Pussy Willow

Salix appendiculata is a deciduous willow in the Salicaceae family. Its native range covers central Europe and the Balkans. It also grows naturally in parts of southern France and Italy. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Plants For A Future describes a shrub reaching 20 feet [6 metres]. Chicago Botanic Garden lists the species as a tree. The RHS also records the older name Salix grandifolia.

The plant sheds its leaves for winter. Its flowers form catkins, which open from April to May. Bees and other insects pollinate them, rather than wind. Each plant bears either male or female flowers. Grow both sexes if you need seed. A single plant cannot set seed on its own. The species also crosses freely with other willows. This matters when raising plants from collected seed.

Choose a sunny site with damp soil for cultivation. Plants For A Future says it cannot grow in shade. It accepts sand, loam, and clay, including heavy clay. It grows in mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. Wet ground, poor drainage, and brief floods are also tolerated. Damp, heavy soil is its preferred setting. Chicago Botanic Garden gives USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Plants For A Future describes it as resistant to frost.

This willow can help restore disturbed ground on difficult sites. In the wild, it colonises landslides, including those on calcareous ground. That makes soil reclamation one of its recorded uses. It also attracts wildlife, with bees visiting its spring flowers. Fresh seed needs prompt surface sowing in late spring. Its useful life may last only a few days. Wood cuttings offer another way to raise plants. Take mature wood from November to February. Half-ripe cuttings can be taken from June to August.

Plants For A Future gives its food value a low rating. It lists inner bark, leaves, and shoots as edible parts. The inner bark can be eaten raw or cooked. Dried bark can also be ground and mixed with flour. Its strong bitterness makes it a food of last resort. Young shoots have little appeal as food either. The source lists no known hazards, but gives no detailed safety assessment.