Among the first hopeful signs of spring are the sweet fuzzy buds of common varieties of pussy willow. While snipping pussy willows and bringing them indoors is a treat, why not go a step further and turn the branches into a long-lasting wreath? It's an easy afternoon project!

Round up fresh pussy willow branches from your garden, a farmer's market, or at your local florist. Choose pencil-thick branches with catkins showing their silvery fur. Keep the branches out of water to keep the buds from opening and becoming short-lasting blooms.

continue reading below

What You'll Need:

• 48 pussy willow branches, each approximately 4 feet long
• Wire cutters
• Paper-covered 26-gauge florist's wire
• 6-inch-diameter grapevine wreath base

STEP 1: On a work surface, cut pussy willow branches into 8- to 10-inch lengths. Save extra branch pieces for filling in openings that will appear once the branches have dried.

STEP 2: Gather six to eight branch pieces in one hand and form a fan-shape bundle.

STEP 3: Secure the bundle using a 5-inch length of paper-covered wire. Attach the bundle to the wreath base, twisting the wire ends as tightly as possible to hold the branch pieces in place.

STEP 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the wreath base is covered.

Growing Pussy Willows

Pussy willows are great garden plants. They offer privacy and provide that first touch of spring. Pussy willows prefer full sun and moist soil. They don't mind wet feet so actually can be grown in rain gardens.

They are fast-growing plants so benefit from pruning each spring. Trimming shapes the plant, keeps its growth in check, and encourages prolific blooms. Pussy willows grow vigorously; if you cut one down to a 6-inch stump, it will grow back in two to three years. Young shrubs can grow as much as 6 feet per year; left unpruned, they become overgrown and beyond easy reach. Mature plants grow 2 to 4 feet per year but continue to benefit from annual pruning.