Salix caprea

[hadders54]

I have purchased the above shrub which is grafted onto a stem. The branches are covered in catkins at the moment. The instructions with the shrub state that it has to be pruned after flowering to 10 cm from the top. This seems to be a bit excesive as the leaves when they arrive will just be on the top of the stem. When do you prune this variety

[Thunderbird+]

Hi hadders, As it's a grafted variety, I'm guessing it's the weeping pussy willow or kilmarnock willow.

Cut back any upright growth or anything below the graft mark. any shoots that appear on the main stem are best rubbed of with the thumb while still soft.

Pruning it back hard will rejuvinate it which will produce lots of young growth that bear catkins.
Personally, I would only prune it back hard every 4-5 years and then in mid winter in a frost free period.
Good Luck Tbird+