Salix gracilistyla "mount aso"

Wednesday so coffee and cake.  This time at Dobbies Garden Centre.  Things are still in the depths of winter so not a lot of colour or range of plants.  There are signs of things to come, plants with yet to open buds etc.

The red/pink catkins on this Willow caught my eye as a splash of colour in the display.  Not knowing the plant I looked it up, it flowers (catkins are flowers) in April and May so there has been a bit of jiggering and pokering to get it to flower so early.  The common name appears to be Japanese Pink Pussy Willow.