I don't know if it's because I’ve done more walking in my 5ks over the last while than ever before or if they are blooming better than ever but the willows flowering in the hedgerows of County Cork have really grabbed my attention over the last few weeks. One of the most important flowers in late winter and spring for the bees, they have been brightening up our landscape for the last few weeks. The most common willow in our hedgerows is Salix caprea or goat willow but all native Irish willows are of benefit to pollinators. Whilst most willows will root very easily from cuttings, taken either during the summer as semi-ripe wood or as hardwood cuttings during the winter. Salix caprea, however, is not so easy from cuttings, preferring to spread via seed.

Source: Irish Examiner April 25, 2021 14:00 UTC