Like it’s snowing!

This weekend we noticed a lot of white fluffy seeds floating around the garden. It was like a flurry of snow. At first we couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. Too early for rosebay willowherb and I was sure that the nearby fields were not covered in dandelions, let alone ones gone to seed.

It took a walk around the garden, following the path of the fluffy seeds to work out what was releasing so many fluffy seeds. My willow tree. I planted my orange stemmed willow tree about 10 years ago. I’m used to seeing the willows down on the Somerset Levels, but we are on higher and dryer land, so I wasn’t sure if it would thrive. I could see only one other willow in the local area. I planted it in the lowest part of the garden, hoping that the rain water would drain down to the tree. It has thrived. Oh boy, has it thrived. It is tall. Very, very tall. It needs a bit of a trim! I really must sign up for a basket weaving course.

This weekend was very windy. The fluff from the willow tree was being blown around in waves. I caught some and discovered a tiny little grey seed, wrapped up in the fluffy fibre. It is hard to believe that my willow tree could have started as something so small. It also begs the question whether the released seeds will find ground and start sprouting into little willow trees. My garden isn’t full of willow seedlings from previous years so I suspect that they need more TLC to succeed in our local conditions. The fluff is incredibly silky. The children enjoyed rubbing it between their fingers.

So anyone had any luck growing willow from seed? I might try some in a propagator. Just for fun. Almost like growing my own baskets!

4 comments

  1. My friend was relaying that she needed to get her youngest writing more. She was excited when Joelle came to her and said, “mama come out and look, it’s snowing spring!”

    Blessings, Debbie

    1. That’s exactly what it is like when the blossom falls or fluffy seed heads blow around. I know what she means. The children decided that it wasn’t quite as fun as they couldn’t build snowmen, but at least it was warmer. 🙂

    1. Oh, eldest is very into the Cicely Mary Barker fairies at the moment. I’m sure that she would have added one, given half a chance. 😀

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