Salix gracilistyla 'Mount Aso'

Mt. Aso Pink Japanese Pussy Willow features delicate pink catkins along the branches from late winter to early spring, which emerge from distinctive red flower buds before the leaves. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has bluish-green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn yellow in fall.

Mt. Aso Pink Japanese Pussy Willow will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.