Making my own plant supports

Camelliad

So I have decided this year to try and get my plant supports in early. I have lots of bought metal ones which I will use first but they're nowhere near enough for the floppy specimens that I seem to grow.

We have lots of hazel that I will try to use - lots of stout, two-pronged sticks. We also have lots of elder clippings which are lovely and bendy and I was thinking of weaving into a circular form to keep the peonies neat. In looking for more info however I realise that I've never seen elder mentioned as something that can be woven or used. Is there a reason for this does anyone know?

Obelixx

Have a look on Pinterest - plenty of ideas for forms and material, including elder.

Camelliad

Thank you @Obelixx I will.

rachelQrtJHBjb

I went on a Sarah Raven course where she demo'd the making of huge obelisks to support summer climbers. She used hazel canes with lots of side growth which she gathered in her hand and twisted as she brought more in and moved around the structure, working upward.

The alternative (I have previously employed) is to use long branches of hazel and then strengthen the structure with willow circles woven around the uprights at staggered intervals from 1-2ft above ground level to the top. Or you could spiral the willow but that involves continually adding in new stems as you spiral upwards. You can employ the same methods for shorter supports.

Dovefromabove

Personally I would not use elder. In my experience it is very brittle because of its pithy centre and dries out and splinters after a very short time. 

Camelliad

Thank you @Dovefromabove, I had wondered if there was a reason as to why I didn't see elder used / recommended more often and I guess that would be a good reason.

@rachelQrtJHBjb thank you, that's useful. We have lots of hazel. Willow seems to be quite expensive to buy so I'm going to try and find a way to use what I have - a short course might be a good thing to do. I think I'd quite like to do that.

Obelixx

I have done three willow weaving courses, 2 in Belgium with a British teacher and one here with French chap.  I was chuffed to bits with my Belgian willow obelisk but it lasted just one winter out in the garden.

2nd project was for indoors and is still good, 20 years later.   The local project resulted in a basket so should last a while too.

Wjs57

Hello @Obelixx I wish I had read this before I bought a pair of ( rather lovely looking) willow obelisks for sweet peas. Luckily they are annuals. Do you think from your knowledge of willow that I can extend their life by simply bringing them into my shed or garage after the sweet peas have finished each year ? Or given that willow is just another wood maybe putting some kind of oil or preserver on them ? Thank you. 

Obelixx

@Wjs57 assuming you haven't yet put them out for your sweet peas, i would try some spray varnish on them and I'd use 2 or 3 coats a day apart;  I'd also still bring them in once the sweet peas have died down.

Wjs57

Oh thanks for that excellent advice  . They only arrived yesterday so I have plenty of time to do that. I wish I had come onto the forum before buying them but I am happy with them. They’re very attractive .

Obelixx

I hope it works.   This was mine, before I put it outside with a clematis.....



The clematis survived but not the obelisk.