Ask the Gardener: Getting pussy willow to root

Everybody Gardens editor Doug Oster gets asked a lot of questions. A lot. And he doesn’t mind offering gardening advice. But rather than just limiting those answers to the person who asked, we thought it might be a good idea to share that wealth of knowledge with everybody.

There are three ways to send in your questions:

Email askdoug@535mediallc.com
Submit your question on our “Your Garden” section of our site
Send us a message on Facebook.

(The questions may be lightly edited for grammar/clarity/etc.)

pussy willow

Question 1: Pussy willow

Jan: Every year at the Home and Garden Show, there is a booth that sells exotic pussy willow branches for you to take home and root. I follow their instructions of just putting them in water, and nothing happens. I’ve done this for three years and only got roots once, but when I put them in the ground they died. I sent away to a plant store for a black pussy willow, and it took and it comes back every year. Have you had any luck with the ones from the show? What am I doing wrong?

Doug: I haven’t ever tried those branches from the Home and Garden Show. Theoretically, the branches should produce roots and then could be planted, but it’s pretty early in the season to be adding them to the garden. I don’t really think you are doing anything wrong. Personally, I’d rather buy an inexpensive shrub in April and plant that. Once established, they are pretty tough.

Everybody Gardens reader Rocky: When I root my willows and have good luck with them after they root in water before putting in the ground, I roll the roots in some hormone like Rootane. Then I put them the ground, wait a day or two then water thoroughly. Fantail and Arctic willows get the best results, along with curly willow. They grow best in wetter areas but can be adapted to basically anywhere. Sometimes they will root higher on the stem; when this happens give it a fresh cut about an inch lower than the root growth, roll it then plant with good loose soil.

Question 2: Burning bush

Kyle: I have some burning bush that are at the point of overgrown. We’d like to trim them down, probably a good 3 to 4 feet at least. Is now a good time to do this? Do you have to fully trim down to only a few inches to rejuvenate or can you choose any height you like and start cutting?

Doug: Normally when discussing pruning of shrubs, there are details on when they can be trimmed. We usually say never to take more than one third of the plant when pruning. In the case of a burning bush though, you can do just about anything you want as it’s indestructible.

Take a look at this pruning video though, just to give you some ideas. You want to be sure to retain a natural shape to the shrub as opposed to a meatball. Take your time, after a few cuts step back and look at the results. Since the plant is so tough, you’ll be fine.

swampy yard pussy willow

Question 3: Swampy yard

Marie: These photos don’t do it justice, but our side yard is a swamp! The trees that are planted were picked because they supposedly love water and would drink it up. We’ve consulted landscapers, the township and everyone in between for guidance. We have been told it needs to be regraded (at the cost of a very nice new car!), made into a water garden (though it seems it would entail the entire yard) and other unreasonable options. Any suggestions for possibly a few more trees/scrubs that would love that environment?

Doug: Even if you use plants that love water, they are never going to change how that area deals with the excess moisture. The plants will thrive in the area, but there’s still going to be standing water. For trees, I’d suggest river birch, willows (be careful, it’s illegal to plant in some communities and will get into drains), sycamore, bald cypress and others. Shrubs include button bush, summersweet, arrowhead viburnum and more. Here’s a great list of plants that enjoy wet feet.