Can I Plant Willow This Summer?

Leaf buds in March 2024, with Killdeer eggs!

Sadly, the answer is “Probably not.” Willow is harvested in the wintertime, after the leaves have dropped and the plant is dormant. This is also the time for planting willow cuttings. Once the weather warms a bit, and the leaves begin breaking, it’s too late to plant. We began seeing leaves in March this year.

For planning purposes, we open our willow pre-season sale in October. This allows our customers to get in early and be sure to snag the varieties they want, and helps us to predict our numbers and make sure that we’ll have adequate shipping supplies. We begin shipping in January, and you can plant your willow then, if your ground isn’t frozen. Cold weather doesn’t hurt the willow, and you DO NOT have to wait until after your last frost date!

Having said this, you will occasionally find small willow trees, Mt. Aso pussywillow, or Hikuro Nishiki (dappled willow) shrubs in pots at a plant nursery, and of course it’s fine to plant these anytime.

Late fall isn’t a time when most people are thinking of buying plants, so if you haven’t already, it’s a great idea to sign up for our email list so that you get a heads up when they are available. What you CAN do in the summertime is prep your area. Willow doesn’t thrive when in competition with grass and weeds, so choosing and solarizing your area over the summer is a great idea, and will make your life easier come planting time. You can also familiarize yourself with the varieties available and decide what you’d like to plant. We’re always more than happy to answer questions, and love talking willow with you!