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Make seasonal displays with pussy willow
With most winter foliage looking past its best at the start of the new year, pussy willow is a real find for floristry and seasonal ideas. it provides structure with its firm branches, softness with its burrs, and colours ranging from newly grown stem green to bark brown, and pale grey to milky white pods. a genus of the Salix willow, the furry pods encase the male catkins and are often the first sign of spring along country lanes and hedgerows, appearing long before the leaves and foliage of other trees. a popular floral ingredient to make wreaths, posies and other arrangements, the willow branch can be cut to create a frame, woven and shaped, and gathered as simple stems. Used fresh, it gives great longevity to arrangements; the branches are also easy to dry to provide year-round interest.
1 Potted hellebores
Add structure to delicate winter flowers with pussy willow stems. Pot up varieties such as hellebores into silvery pots, water, then top with moss before pushing cut stems of willow around the base of the plant. planter from a selection at D Byford & Sons. twine with oak stand, £20, Wood and Meadow. scissors from all good florists. Vintage linens from a selection at Louisa Grace Interiors.
2 Beautiful Birds’ nests
pussy willow makes an easy weaving material and is especially effective when used with grapevine cuttings to make small nests. Weave and mould the vine into a nest shape, tucking in any loose ends. snip pussy willow into short lengths and push into the nests. place a small patch of moss inside and rest eggs and flower heads on top.
3 seasonal terrarium
Using pussy willow in a terrarium arrangement adds texture and height to a display. Make sure the glass jar or vase is clean and free of smears. Layer sand or soil at the base and water to dampen. Plant succulents and chosen plants inside the terrarium and water – we added snowdrops for a seasonal, early spring touch. Add a layer of moss, then push clipped pussy willow branches into the soil. Finally, add other decorative items such as tiny eggs, pebbles or shells.
For similar vases, try Garden Trading.
4 Heart token
Make these pretty decorations as a gift or a touching place setting. Soak pussy willow stems for an hour to make them more pliable (or use thinner stems). Join two equal-sized pieces at the widest end and secure with florist wire. Taking both the thinner ends of the stem, twist them outwards and down to make a heart shape and secure the ends with more florist wire. Cover the wire join with flowers and tie in place with ribbon. Vintage linens from a selection at Louisa Grace Interiors. Ribbon from a selection at Jane Means.
5 spring wreath
A simple way to display seasonal foliage, pussy willow burrs add silvery points of interest, and the whole wreath dries beautifully, too. To begin, cover a wire wreath frame with damp moss, securing in place with florist wire. Bunch together groups of stems (we chose to add eucalyptus and pine for extra colour and scent), tying the base ends with more florist wire, then place on top of the moss ring, facing the untied tips to the outermost edge of the wreath. Secure in place with more wire. Continue adding stems until the wreath is covered. Wreath frame from all good florists.