Salix gracilistyla ‘Mt Aso’

Relatively new from Japan, where it is used for cut stems in the floristry industry, this is in effect a pink flowered pussy willow. Large dark-pink flower buds open to show soft furry, silvery pink catkins before the leaves emerge in early spring. Making a vigorous medium sized shrub, this can be kept smaller by cutting to the ground each year after flowering. Very hardy, tough and easy.