The anthers on the nearly black catkins turn yellow, producing a striking show that goes on for weeks. It is very finely branched, usually all the way to the ground, and never throws long simple stems like most pussy willows. This makes it impossible to display them in the same way. Instead, use fewer, shorter stems, perhaps mixed with other plants. Or use short, 8-inch sections in small vases.
Leaves turn yellow before dropping, very late.
Girth equals height, usually 6 to 10 feet. Maintain black pussy willow with aggressive annual pruning as soon as catkins begin to drop and leaves are emerging. Overall, this is one of the best for indoor decoration. Its unusual twisted stems are broad and flattened at their ends, a genetic condition botanists know as fasciation. Look for a plant with a lot of these branches, as some plants are more heavily fasciated than others.