GardenDC Podcast Episode 95: Willows

In this episode, we talk Michael Judd of Ecologia Design about all things related to willows. The plant profile is on Primroses and I share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming events.

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Show Notes: 1:05 Meet Michael Judd of Ecologia Design and learn all about willows! 1:35 “It’s all willows right now.” — Michael talks about his garden 4:09 “ ‘Easy’ is going to be the word of this episode.” — Kathy 4:46 Michael talks about Ecologia Design’s site near Frederick, MD — “It’s quite a spectacular spot!” 6:17 Michael describes the willow arch at the entrance of Ecologia Design’s food forest 7:07 Willows are important for bees! 9:45 Male deers will rub on willows during the winter 11:12 Michael describes the look of willows after pollarding as a “funky hairdo” 13:33 “A lot of what I’m doing with the willows is to sort of re-enliven the culture of basketry.” — Michael 14:42 “The willow really is one of the most resilient regenerative species we have to work with.” — Michael 15:45 Kathy and Michael discuss the many uses of willows 17:31 Michael talks about the many types of willows — “There’s really an endless selection of willows.” 23:35 “Getting to know your willows a little bit can be helpful.” — Michael 24:14 Michael talks about pussy willows — “The Japanese ones are gorgeous!” 25:31 Birds love willows! 26:50 “Plants really like to be worked when it’s cool and moist.” — Michael 30:22 “I just love the look of a huge, old weeping willows.” — Kathy 33:21 Michael talks about the willows he’s growing now — “I feel like I’m so in love with so many of them.” 40:53 How to contact Michael 43:48 Learn about the primrose in this week’s Plant Profile! 45:18 What’s new in the garden: blooming ‘Jane’ saucer magnolia and daffodils! 46:02 News in the gardening world: upcoming plant sales 47:27 Look forward to “The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City” by Teri Speight and Kathy 48:20 Celebrate spring at the National Garden Bureau online book party

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 25: Michael Judd of Ecologia Design on growing Paw Paws

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-25-michael.html

~ Plant Profile: Native Pussy Willows (Salix discolor)

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/03/plant-profile-pussy-willows-salix.html

The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Willows-e1fcept

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Episode Credits:

Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Editing and Show Notes: Dorvall Bedford

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Plant Profile: Pussy Willows (Salix discolor)

The American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is a harbinger of spring. It makes a great decoration indoors or stuck in amongst other early spring flowers in a container. Yes, I said “other” flowers as the fluffy catkin is actually the flowering part of this plant.

Like its willow relatives, the Pussy Willow sends out deep tap roots and prefers a wet soil location. It also likes full sun and some room as it can get up to 20 feet high and 12 feet wide.

Pruning is advisable to control the size and shape of the Pussy Willow, which can be trained into either a tree or shrub form. You will want to prune it by taking cuttings for display indoors. Cut them before the yellow pollen appears and do not put them in water. They will dry and stay nice for several years.

To propagate and pass-along new Pussy Willow plants to others, just cut a branch in spring and stick it cut-end down into a pot of soil. It will quickly take root and can then be planted outside.

Another benefit to this native shrub is that it is the host plant of two native butterflies – the Mourning Cloak and the Viceroy – whose caterpillars sustain themselves on Pussy Willow foliage.

There are also non-native Pussy Willows that have been cultivated to produce a range of different catkin colors from the Japanese pink Pussy Willow (Salix gracilistyla) 'Mount Aso' to the sleek, black Pussy Willow (Salix gracilistyla) 'Melanostachys'.

Try planting a Pussy Willow in your garden today – you can grow that!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine and edited by intern Emily Coakley.

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