How to make willow plant supports

You will need

Willow stems
Bamboo canes
Secateurs
Garden twine or string

Do it: January

Project categories

Overview

Pliable, young willow stems are the perfect material to use for making plant supports. Easy and quick to assemble, willow supports are attractive features in their own right, before they are eventually hidden by lush plant growth.

How to do it

1Weave several willow stems together.

2Bend the entwined willow stems into a circle about 45cm in diameter.

Trimming the willow circle with secateurs

3Once your circle is complete, trim off any untidy ends, and secure with string if necessary.

Inserting four willow canes through the circle

4Insert four willow canes through the circle, so that they form a cross shape to support the plants.

Placing the willow support over a frame of four bamboo canes

5Stick four bamboo canes into the ground and thread the circle on top, securing it with string, to finish off your support.

Discuss this project

Talkback: How to make willow plant supports

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sunflowergarden 23/03/2012 at 07:16

WHERE CAN I GET THE WILLOW FROM.

The Saint 23/03/2012 at 13:47

yea! I live in Ireland, and I did track down somewhere that sells bundles of willow sticks for planting, but I don't know much about coppicing willow. It's something Id love to do so I could have a ready supply of willow canes.

jojo127 23/03/2012 at 14:03

what will the willow be used?

Hugelkultur 23/03/2012 at 20:55

by a river/waterway?

cazanne 29/03/2012 at 12:40

You can buy willow withies from www.musgrovewillows.co.uk based in Somerset. I managed to buy half a bundle and after several projects there is still plenty left.

The willow is much easier to manipulate if it is soaked overnight in a bath or pond.