How to make willow plant supports

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 24 March 2019 at 3:00 pm

Find out how to make your own plant supports from willow stems, in our How-to guide.

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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.

Find out how to make your own willow plant supports, below.

You Will Need

Willow stems
Bamboo canes
Secateurs
Garden twine, or string

Total time: 15 minutes

Step 1

Making willow plant supports - weaving the stems together

Weave several willow stems together.

Step 2

Making willow plant supports - creating a circular frame

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

Step 3

Making willow plant supports - trimming off untidy ends

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

Step 4

Making willow plant supports - inserting willow canes

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

Step 5

Making willow plant supports - threading the circle onto bamboo canes

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

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