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Bloom & Buzz Small-batch. Single source. Carroll County, Tennessee.

Plant profile

Balsam Willow

Balsam Willow

Salix pyrifolia

Expected availability · late 2028

Willow Catkin / CurlsWillow Works
Sun
Full sun to part sun
Hardiness
Field evaluation in West Tennessee Zone 7b
Harvest
Dormant-season stems; catkin selections also harvested at marketable bud stage

At a Glance

Small catkinsLarge catkinsSmall catkins to Large catkins, position 3 of 5
SubtleShowySubtle to Showy, position 2 of 5
SparseDenseSparse to Dense, position 3 of 5
StraightArchitecturalStraight to Architectural, position 2 of 5
Fresh displayDried displayFresh display to Dried display, position 3 of 5

About

Choose Balsam Willow for spring catkins. This Willow Works selection is being developed for customers who want distinctive, useful willow material.

Best Uses

Spring arrangements, seasonal branches, and floral work where catkin texture is part of the design.

Choose This If…

Choose this if spring catkins matches the catkin color, scale, or texture you want in the arrangement.

Material Details

Spring catkins. Primary harvest: Late Winter–Early Spring. Best stage: Catkins at marketable bud/open stage.

Growing requirements

Water
Consistent moisture during establishment; willow generally performs best with reliable moisture
Soil
Adaptable where moisture is adequate; field performance will refine local guidance.
Drainage
Moist, not drought-prone
Growth rate
Fast

Fruit, flower, or harvest traits

The feature to watch is spring catkins. Best suited to catkin stems, floral design, seasonal branches.

Pollination and compatibility

Willows are dioecious; flower sex will be recorded from field observation where not already verified.

Role at Bloom & Buzz

We chose this variety first for its customer value as spring catkins. When it flowers, its place in Willow Works also connects the crop to Bloom & Buzz Apiary by adding seasonal forage for pollinators.