A flexible support

Pliable young willow is the perfect material for creating a home-made plant support. Bending long pieces up and over a developing climbing plant creates a statement in the garden, before the structure is swathed in flourishing growth. To create a simple frame for a medium sized pot, multiple stems are cut to approximately 5ft (1.5m). The number of stems used will depend on the eventual size and spread of the plant it will support. One end of each stem is pushed into the compost at the edge of the pot, evenly spaced apart. Then the other end of each is bent over and pushed in directly opposite. If the loop formed is higher than required, the length of the stems are reduced before they are pushed into place. When all the stems have been bent double and pushed in, the point at which they cross is secured with twine or pliable plant material. Further support for the plant is added by tying string around the circumference of the willow stems at various heights.