CHEEKY CATKINS

Words by Jessica Peace

WHAT ARE THEY?

Catkins are cheeky flower ‘spikes’, normally petal-less and dangling from deciduous trees in the Winter. Pollinated by the wind these swinging beauties release their pollen into the air hoping to breeze into a catkin of the opposite sex – more fun than tinder.

COP AN EYEFUL

Corylus avellana – ‘Hazel’; soft yellow drops and red fluffy buds.

Salix caprea – ‘Pussy Willow’; soft grey paws reaching out from deep red stems.

RARER BEAUTIES

Garrya elliptica – ‘The Silk Tassel Bush’; long, fairy tale like pale green ‘tassels’.

Stachyurus praecox – the QUEEN of catkins, yellow paper like spikes.

BOLD BOUQUETS

Upping the rustic style ante of any vase or bouquet.