Well some of my "fur" fell off. And as I was playing with the thing (I like to pet the things LOL) I noticed some black things in there. So I went on a search to see if they DO have seed...well here is a link I came across. http://www.all-creatures.org/pica/ftshl-pussywillow.html I will be planting the black thingies I found, just as an experiment. Kim

Pat, Scully has a point. Plastic pots do work well but it won't insulate the plant. Your best approach if you wish to containerize a tree is to find or build a concrete planter and line it with styrofoam insulators (the ones used for houses). Scully if you intend to go through with such a plan, obviously you will need to build the planter in place. Or if you wish to purchase the planter and have it delivered to the precise area you wish to set the tree. Any tree can be containerize and I have had experience in miniaturizing trees (like bonsai). Make sure the drainage holes are located on the side of the planter and not beneath. The reason is that willow roots will try to seek water and could escape through the hole. If the hole is located beneath, there's no chance you will be able to lift that planter to cut it off. However this will be able to do if the drainage holes are on the sides. Willows are very hardy and they can withstand cold temps. But I have a feeling plastic pots will not be enough to keep the plant healthy. I presently have the corkscrew willow potted in terra cotta and it's been with me for the past 7 years. However I have it on a porch and so not as exposed as what you plan to do. Oh, and the width of the crown of the tree would be approx. 2x the size of the planter. The height would be something like 3x or more the height of the planter. Basically the smaller the planter, the smaller the plant and the more you'd need to water them. another thing, when you are ready to plant, take a pipe and sink it in the soil. Use this to water the plant since the pipe could reach the roots deep below. This is especially important when the plant starts to get root bound. Otherwise when you water, most of that will simply roll out and not reach the roots within.

I am actually going to contradict a bit what some others have said. I think you should only do this bed this year. Move on to making other beds in following years. It is important to enjoy your flowers too and that you not spend all your time digging, weeding, fertilizing, and watering. It is also better to grow a few things well than a lot of things badly. Just my opinion I guess. (If you find yourself with a well manicured bed though and jonesing for more garden projects, don't let me stop you. My advice is just coming from someone who has bitten off more than he can chew before. It is good to complete one project utterly before opening a new can of worms.) And your pussy willow isn't going to immediately become a large tree. You have a few years to plant whatever around it. Stay true to your original vision.

Oh my gosh! You got it! Thank you!!! It used to be called baccharis emoryi (here in Zion) , and it got reclassified as baccharis salicina. What threw me off when I looked at your link were the toothed, and wider leaves. But when I typed in baccharis with zion national park, this is what I got! zion/white_wildflowers/baccharis_emoryi_i93.html That's it to a "T"! Tiny flowers with no discernable petals, and elongated, more lanceolate leaves! I can't thank you guys enough! Apparently it's one of the riparian plants here. It must have mistaken my gutter drainage for a wash LOL! Woo hoo!