Willow plant support workshop (afternoon)

What you will make

A half-day course for beginners to make your own rustic plant obelisk for your garden. This course is very popular so we’re running it twice: choose from Saturday or Sunday.  These obelisk supports give instant height to a new border and can soon be covered by climbers. You can adapt the shape to make open supports for perennials to stop them flopping about in the wind.  The supports will last for two or even three years before they need replacing (and once you have learned how to make them, you can easily make your replacements).  If you have space, you can make living willow obelisks to create a support that will root and continue to grow in your border. These beautiful supports can be made in many different styles; double-staked for extra strength, with fixed bands of weaving or spirals, topped by a plume of willows, a woven loop or a trimmed tuft whichever you prefer.  If you have time you can make more than one support.  Also you have the opportunity to create an open-ended plant support, ideal for the floppier perennials such as delphiniums, peonies, dahlias etc.  

How you will make it

• Select your willow for uprights and weavers

• Insert your uprights into your box or jig 

• Start your pairing weave to give a secure base

• Join a new weaver

• Spiral or band the weave to create the desired shape for the obelisk

• Gather the stakes at the top and bind

• Remove the box or jig  and tidy up the cut ends of the willow

Meet your tutor: Yvonne Rivers

"I am constantly inspired with the possibility of weaving willow rods into useful and beautiful items for the garden and home. I love the flexibility of willow and the robustness when rods are woven together. I was inspired and taught by Sheila Wynter, who, amongst so many other interests was a life-long basket maker and a wonderful teacher. 

"I also find that working with willow offers me the possibility of an ongoing inquiry around having an aim in mind and what I actually create. I am learning so much from this process of making and being both humbled and inspired with the end result. I love sharing what I know about working with willow with others I am based in Brighton and combine offering willow workshops, with making garden obelisks and plant supports, baskets and hurdles."