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Willow
cornishpixi
Posts: 67
in Plants
I am thinking of getting some live willow to edge a flower bed hoping to arch it and have it about 2ft high to keep the dogs off. Would it work and where is the best place to get it please
0
Posts
Look on eBay for willow cuttings. I’ve just bought “Tora” cuttings from this guy and was impressed.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/plantmad4848/m.html?_armrs=1&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=willow&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1
Be aware of that the willow will spread into the flowerbed. I would use dried willow instead. Something like this: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0ezXSDEwWNnhQW_foDH2Q52PShPguf9on2O82dRjhS9xwc2Kq
Then you can make the arches as high as needed, without losing any sunlight.
Try not to use dried willow; it will become brittle quickly, and of course has no leaves. Choose your willow carefully; some of it is very unruly. But some have lovely coloured stems and are very polite.
Living willow fences - called a 'fedge' - are very popular around here ..........
http://www.thewillowbank.com/living-willow-structure-products/buy-living-willow-hedge-fence/
They look amazing and take minimal maintenance.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm hoping to edge some cutflower beds like this. Will the willow suck out too much of the water. I read it can be v greedy but would it be ok if I ensure I keep the willow growth well managed?
If you keep the fedge managed so it's like the one in the pic I cant see ghat it would take a lot of water ... no more than a box hedge or similar would.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.