florist's willow

9.4

A tree with many branches and long flower clusters used in flower arrangements

noun

: sauce florido

She arranged branches of florist's willow in the vase to add height to the bouquet.

Examples

The florist's willow is prized for its attractive broad leaves and flexible stems.
Many gardens feature florist's willow for its ornamental catkins in early spring.
The florist's willow adds elegance to any bouquet.
I bought a florist's willow for my garden.
She arranged branches of florist's willow in the vase to add height to the bouquet.
Many gardens feature florist's willow for its ornamental catkins in early spring.
The florist's willow is prized for its attractive broad leaves and flexible stems.

Synonyms

pussy willow

vsflorist's willow

1 4.2

A small tree or bush with soft furry buds that appear before the leaves

is valued for floral arranging and has many branches and broad leaves

goat willow

vsflorist's willow

9.1

A willow tree with many branches, broad leaves, and soft silvery flower clusters that grows in Europe and Asia

is chosen mainly for floral arrangements for its many branches and showy catkins

Salix caprea

vsflorist's willow

Specialized

9.9

A willow tree with broad leaves and soft fuzzy flowers in spring

is used mainly in floristry for its branchy habit and large catkins

Surface Forms

florist's willow singular

florist's willows plural

Morphology

florist's + willow

The phrase is compositionally built from 'florist's' (belonging to or used by a florist) + 'willow' (a type of tree). A B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer it refers to a willow used in floristry or sold/selected by florists, following a common possessive/type naming pattern.

Etymology

Florist's willow comes from the fact that florist's points to flower sellers and willow is the tree with bendy branches and soft flower clusters that florists used to make tall, pretty arrangements. So the name means a willow 'used in floral arrangements'.