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Moonshine Designs Nursery Located in Milan, Illinois 309-756-1967 Fax: 309-756-1058
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CARING FOR YOUR WEEPING PUSSY WILLOW
Thank you for your purchase! A weeping pussy willow tree has many ornamental uses. One of which is making a nice indoor plant placed in a bright location until weather warms outdoors for planting out.
This sheet is to inform you on care and pruning. While the weeping pussy willow is very ornamental, it is not maintenance free!
Above all else, DO NOT LET IT DRY OUT TO THE POINT OF WILTING!!! Willows are moisture loving plants and dry soil is very detrimental to their well being. If allowed to dry out to the point of severe wilting, it very well may not recover. We will not warranty plants that have been allowed to dry out!
You will notice wax at the top of the tree covering the graft. Do not remove this. It will fall off on it’s own over time.
INDOORS: Keep in a bright window or location, turning every so often to keep the growth even. Keep evenly moist and do not let it dry out.
OUTDOORS: While this is a hardy plant to zone 5, do not plant outdoors when in active growth until danger of freezing has past. Place in a sunny to lightly shaded, moist area. Do not plant deeper than it is growing in the pot. Do not “tease” the rootball apart when planting. Willows will grow roots out on their own, even if potbound. Disturbing feeder roots can disrupt moisture uptake. Keep well watered. Staking may be necessary until new roots are formed in windy areas.
If planting in a large container, use a potting mix that is moisture retentive. Do NOT use regular garden soil. Minimum container size should be seven gallon for the first couple of years. If growing in a container in zone 5, place in an unheated building over winter.
FERTILIZER: We suggest one tablespoon of Osmocote 18-6-12 once per year, applied in the spring around the base. Other general purpose plant foods can also be used. Follow label directions.
PRUNING: Remove any sprouts that form from the base or below the graft as they form. Prune back the pendulous branches as needed to keep them off of the soil or they may root. Each time a branch has the tip removed, lateral branches will then form on that branch. This makes for a very full “fountain” effect. Remove any crossed or crowded branches as needed. NEVER cut below the graft.
PESTS: Protect from critters: Deer and Rabbits in particular. Generally not bothered by insects.
