Black Pussy Willow Shrub

Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys'

Black Pussy Willow is grown primarily for its astonishing purple-black flowering catkins, which appear on bare branches in early March or April.

They make a show-stopping cut arrangement along with other late-winter/early-spring gleanings, especially if you wait for the orange male anthers to form.

This large shrub is useful as a screen and in low, moist spots. It benefits from judicious pruning to maintain an attractive shape.