Natural Plant Supports

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Create willow structures for supporting flowers and vegetable plants, or to enhance your garden as decorative yet functional, contemporary ornaments. Jane Fletcher, of Really Useful Plants in Devon, will guide you through the process of working with freshly harvested willow, experimenting with and learning about different varieties, and enjoying their varied colours, textures and uses in making structures.

You will have the opportunity to create one tall and one smaller plant support using different weaving and willow craft techniques. Depending on your garden needs, you can choose from a few different attractive designs – willow obelisks for growing peas or beans up, cloche-style supports for roses or perennials, or other practical ornamental garden pieces using different styles. The only limiting factor is the size of your transport home.

• Tutor: Jane Fletcher has been exploring possibilities with willow for 20 years, running workshops and establishing the nursery, Really Useful Plants in Starcross, Devon. Amongst other things, they specialise in growing willow species as ornamental and wildlife plants as well as for hedging, sculpture, basketry, floristry and craft purposes
• Location and arrival information: The workshop will take place in the Peter Buckley Learning Centre, with a short time spent outside to see where willow is grown at RHS Rosemoor. Please allow 15 minutes to park in the main visitor car park, enter the garden and get to the Learning Centre
• Catering: Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available in the classroom at the start of the day and again in the afternoon. As part of the booking process, you will choose a picnic lunch option, which is included in the workshop price

For this workshop, you will need:

• Your booking reference number to show to the team at the Garden Entrance. 
• A notebook and a pencil to make notes.
• Secateurs
• Gloves, if you wish to wear them.
• Shoes with enclosed toes, old clothes and layers. Willow work is very active, and you might get quite warm. ​
• Clothing and footwear suitable for being indoors and outdoors, appropriate to the weather on the day. 

Skill Level: General – I want to enjoy, discover, or learn from this workshop, regardless of my existing skill level.