Salix, Japanese Pink Pussy Willow 'Mt Aso'

I grow (and sell) 150 different Willows and 'Mt Aso' is the first to bloom--late February here in Northern Vermont. It's a great cut flow...Read Moreer for Valentine's Day. It's easy to grow, suffers few pests and moderately deer resistant--they like to nibble the tops. Like nearly all Willows it is simple to grow from 8-10in hardwood cuttings planted at the time that Forsythia starts to bloom. Make a hole (I use an old tire iron) ~6in deep so that 2in is above soil level. I plant through ground-cover cloth to reduce weed competition and preserve moisture. If the soil is dry, water the cuttings. Expect 3-4ft of growth in the first year. In future years cut it down (coppice) every 1-2 years as soon as they finish blooming to get an abundance of strong young shoots. When cutting for indoors, stems should be put in water until the pussies completely open and then remove the water. They remain fresh looking for months--this applies to all Willows incidently.