Yes, they're locally grown in CT!

I've had several people ask me "where do your willows come from?".... The answer is the First Bloom Farm field in Northfield, CT ! Here I have pictures posted of harvest on 2/17 for market.



We harvest, grade and bunch these specialty willow stem-by-stem to bring you the best quality.

Delicate and Giant Willow Varieties Available

Delicate catkins (approximately 0.25 inches long) (top photo) are prolific and dense along slender tan stems with purple tips. Available stems range from 1.5 feet to 6 feet.

Huge catkins (maximum size 1 to 1.25 inches) (bottom photo) are produced along long straight stems are a dramatic way to welcome spring. Available stems range from 2 feet to 5+ feet.

Frozen Farmers' Market- New Hartford, CT

It's official, spring is coming!

Cold, wind, and ice weren't enough to keep hardy New Englanders away from the Frozen Farmers' Market last Sunday in New Hartford, CT. On the contrary, spirits were high and attendees were happy to see the classic sign of spring- pussy willows! Many bunches were carried away by happy customers from the market to vases in homes across the Northwest corner. Enjoy!

Modern & Beautiful Willows for Spring '10

These pics are of the beginning of forcing for the willows harvested about one week ago on 2/4/10. Included are a few shots showing the variety and variation between cultivars.

Please contact me for sales availability . All stems are at least 18 inches in length, some varieties may be cut longer if desired.

Photos numbered top to bottom:

photo 1. grey catkins (about 0.5 in long), on purple stems with waxy bloom.

photo 2. typically catkins are black in field with reddish-brown stems. Here, after forcing at room temperature catkins shown develop a blood-red color with black tips.

photo 3. A sampling of willow shows range of color and stems shape.

photo 4. not for the faint-of-heart with beautiful flatten, fused stems culminating with a modern twist.

photo 5. Another shot of the range in color and shape.

***Still to come- close-ups of the small delicate stems and the largest of the all, with huge silver-grey catkins still developing at forcing temps***

Harvest 2010

Offically, harvest 2010 began today with samplings of the specialty willow ready for sale. Avaliable for sale in February/March:

S. alba - Straight and branched yolk-yellow stems
S. acutifolia- Purple/maroon stems with medium sized grey catkins
S. gracilistla- Brown/red stems with huge (up to 10 cm) grey catkins
S. koriyanagi- Delicate grey catkins on slender, tan stems
S. u. 'Sekka' (fantail)- Medium sized flattened curling stems, grey catkins when forced

Curly brown and red willow

**Photos to come soon***