Willow catkins

Spring is here in my area, but it’s just beginning. Garden snowdrops and witch hazel are blooming, and willow catkins are out, but most spring wildflowers are weeks away.

I found the common willow catkins in the wild, but the rosegold willow catkins (Salix gracilistyla) are from Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Rosegold willow is an asian species. The red-then-gold anthers were worth a drive into the city to see.

Common willow

Rosegold willow

Tags: Flowers, Macro, Nature, Photography, spring

16 thoughts on “Willow catkins”

Steve Schwartzman on March 29, 2019 at 10:26 pm said:

Your mention of Boston makes me wonder whether you’ve been to the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods in Framingham. I took pictures there last June.

Happy beginning of spring to you, finally.

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- tomwhelan on March 30, 2019 at 9:36 am said:
  
  I’ve been to Garden in the Woods many, many times, I’ve been a NEWFS member for years. The garden doesn’t open until mid-April, I’m looking forward to seeing hepatica and maybe some bloodroot by then.
  
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TJ Fox on March 29, 2019 at 10:27 pm said:

I love the color on these. So pretty.

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- tomwhelan on March 30, 2019 at 9:40 am said:
  
  They are a beautiful sight, but easy to overlook.
  
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floresphotographic on March 30, 2019 at 4:02 am said:

I like the macros of the rose gold willow – beautiful.

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shoreacres on March 31, 2019 at 10:35 am said:

The common catkins bring back memories of childhood. I can feel that silky softness. The rosegold catkins are beautiful, and intriguing. I know I’ve found a flower here whose anthers change color, but I can’t remember which one. Now, I’m going to pay more attention.

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Robert Parker on March 31, 2019 at 2:40 pm said:

I’ve never seen these close up before — to have such an interesting and beautiful sight, under our noses, unseen, so thanks! I have to dig out my pocket magnifying glass and keep it in my jacket pocket.

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- tomwhelan on March 31, 2019 at 10:06 pm said:
  
  You’ll need a magnifying glass – I used 4x magnification for the rosegold willow images. I’ve only found them at the Arboretum, though – hope you can find them in your area.
  
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melissabluefineart on April 1, 2019 at 11:34 am said:

Pussy willows! A childhood delight, still enjoyed today. A friend of mine is a teacher, and she told me her students aren’t familiar with these! Can you believe it? How sad. I love these gorgeous photos.

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- tomwhelan on April 1, 2019 at 10:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Melissa! 🙂 I like the common catkins almost as much as the fancy rosegold ones. You friend should take her students out for a walk and show them willow catkins.
  
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  - melissabluefineart on April 2, 2019 at 10:47 am said:
    
    She does when she gets a chance to. Her point is, that was once just a part of childhood and now, it seems, it isn’t.
  - tomwhelan on April 2, 2019 at 10:33 pm said:
    
    Sigh – nature was such an important part of my early years.
  - melissabluefineart on April 4, 2019 at 10:06 am said:
    
    Exactly. I know it is a cliche, but what is the world coming to with the younger generation so completely disconnected from nature?
joshi daniel on April 2, 2019 at 1:16 am said:

This is awesome 🙂

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vanadze17 on April 2, 2019 at 10:48 am said:

Amazing blossoms ! 🙂

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David on April 4, 2019 at 1:33 pm said:

It must mean spring is around the corner … maybe. 🙂

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