Fantail willows with catkins grow in a garden in New Paltz, N.Y. Willows are among the more interesting shrubs and trees. Willows are among the more interesting shrubs and trees, especially this ...

(Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum) In early spring, bits of fluff appear along the branches of some willow shrubs, silvery gray and as soft ... called catkins, will become tiny yellow flowers.

What I was actually looking for was willow catkins — pussy willows. These guys start poking their fuzzy little heads out pretty early in the year. Some over-enthusiastic ones will pop out even ...

young catkins on felt-leaf willow (Salix alaxensis) and diamond-leaf willow (S. pulchra), our local “pussy willows.” Along with the arrival of migrant songbirds, the pussy willows announce ...