The pussy willow (or Salix,botanical name) is a true harbinger of Spring! The fuzzy little “catkins” appear in early Spring just before the leaves begin to unfurl on this fast growing deciduous bush. According to legend, many springtimes ago, a mother cat was crying at the bank of a river where her kittens were drowning. The willows at the river’s edge wanted to help her, so they swept their long branches into the water to rescue the tiny kittens who had fallen into the water while chasing butterflies. The kittens gripped onto the willow branches tightly and were safely brought to shore. Every springtime since, says the legend, the willow branches sprout tiny fur-like buds where the tiny kittens once clung.
Today I’ll cut some pussy willow branches and bring them indoors to remind me of the promise of spring yet to come!
Oh that’s a grand idea! I need to do this too.
How’s the mud in your barn yard? lol