Tuesday, April 10, 2018

'Willow' It Grow?

When I picked up some donated flowers from a funeral home a couple of weeks ago one of the arrangements was a large vase containing a colorful mix of flowers, greenery, and curly willow branches. I broke down the arrangement, put all the stems in water, and took them with me the next day. At the end of the weekend I offered the flowers to the people who had attended the retreat. As I was carrying around the container I noticed that the branches were now studded with tiny green leaves!

I brought the remainder of the vegetation home. At this point the donated flowers were close to a week old and looked pretty rough. They went into the green waste can. The flowers I had bought for the occasion were still fresh. I put them in a vase along with the branches and some leatherleaf  fern stems. The only place that's safe from the cats is the family room fireplace mantel so I placed the arrangement there.

As the stems of flowers faded I took them out of the vase. Eventually I was left with nothing but greenery and branches.  The leaves on the branches kept getting bigger, though, so I wondered if they would grow if I planted them.  Google told me that yes, they would but that willows are vigorous growers with soft wood and invasive root systems.  I decided to put the stems into a pot.

The only appropriate size container I could find in the garage was an unattractive looking nursery pot, but I filled it with good potting soil and stuck the stems in. If they thrive I can slide the nursery pot into a decorative one. It's still cold at night, so for now the whole thing is back on the fireplace mantel.


Five years ago today: Thanks, I'm Just Doing My Job

8 comments:

  1. Yes have to beware of invasive trees. I planted an aspen 2 years ago thinking it was a cherry tree seedling. It started sprouting leaves all over the yard the next year, still have to check again this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hasten to add, beware of invasive! We considered propagating the lovely pussy willows in a birthday bouquet, and decided against, because the lovely new yard drains don't deserve the invasion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My plan is NOT to put this anywhere near the yard! I'm thinking pot on the deck and checking for roots growing out multiple times during the season. If I decide it's too much work I'll put it out for the green waste people.

      Delete
  3. I'm not sure I'd move it into another container, I love the way it looks now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, you're too kind. I have my eye on some of the new outdoor merchandise at the big box home decorating store. If they send me a coupon I think I might splurge on one of them.

      Delete