Support for perennials

[Acanthus]

I am retiring ( yes!) and have been told I will have a gift for long service of £180. I have always fancied some sturdy supports for my perennials-ATM they are lucky to get a couple of canes and some string. I've seen some nice ones with legs and grow-through discs, and also some which look like mini wigwams. Does anyone have any suggestions for good quality ones? I have peonies,golden rod, mich daisies, heleniums,etcetc which need them. I know I won't be able to use them until nest spring but hey! Something to look forward to
Also, what wish lists do other grapes have? I am so used to gardening on a 'make do and mend' budget, but I would like to spend this to remind me how lucky I am to be in my garden and not at the chalk face any more!

[VirginVegGrower]

Leander supports and another that I bought from at Malvern but whose name escapes me (check the website and it may yield the trader's name). Alternatively I've had the black coated ones from Garden Centre group which go on offer from time to time if you have club membership.

[veggiechicken]

The ones VVG bought at Malvern were lovely. I would buy metal ones and ones that look good whether suporting plants or not. Something handmade perhaps that will be a lasting reminder of work! Happy retirement

[VirginVegGrower]

The ones VVG bought at Malvern were lovely. I would buy metal ones and ones that look good whether suporting plants or not. Something handmade perhaps that will be a lasting reminder of work! Happy retirement

But can you remember what they were called because I can't? I bought from them the year before also. I'll have a dig around the garden mags...

[veggiechicken]

No, sorry. Don't think I ever knew

[eirish]

I'm still annoyed that I didn't have my camera to take pics of the plant supports I saw in Oxford. They were made from nice brushy hazel sticks pushed in around the plants and then bent over at right angles at an appropriate height (a foot or two, depending). All the brushy twigs were sort of woven together along the sides and top. It looked fab with the plants just sprouting, and I'm sure they'll just blend in as the foliage grows up.

Doesn't help you spend £180, though! My wish list would have some proper glass cloches, handmade willow teepees, a terra cotta rhubarb forcer (saw one at Harlow Carr and fell in luv!)... I'm a bit of a sucker for lovely traditional garden kit.

[VirginVegGrower]

^^^ If you saw one at Harlow Carr, you should have gone to the Yorkshire Pots factory shop - cheap as chips terracotta forcers.

[Acanthus]

Found some rustic ones at Windrush Willow , but they aren't hazel, will keep googling! Thanks all for suggestions. I had forgotten rhubarb forces, I always did fancy a couple of those, better looking than my old dustbin

[eirish]

^^^ If you saw one at Harlow Carr, you should have gone to the Yorkshire Pots factory shop - cheap as chips terracotta forcers.

Not much point buying one, or planting rhubarb, til we settle down and buy a place - moving every year or two (or sometimes every four months ) at present, sigh. I shall try to remember that, though, as buying a rhubarb forcer in Yorkshire sounds quite appropriate!

[VirginVegGrower]

No, sorry. Don't think I ever knew

Guess what, they are plantsupports.co.uk. Who'd have thought it

[VirginVegGrower]

Not much point buying one, or planting rhubarb, til we settle down and buy a place - moving every year or two (or sometimes every four months ) at present, sigh. I shall try to remember that, though, as buying a rhubarb forcer in Yorkshire sounds quite appropriate!

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Indeed, but I guarantee you'll come back with more than a rhubarb forcer.
There was another place at the EGS that was selling forcers for £20, but they may not be frost resistant.

[Acanthus]

Spent such a happy hour, think I now plan on going on a day course in making willow items in Suffolk, weaving my own wigwams, and buying some of the very nice metal supports and grow throughs. Still have to look at the rhubarb forcers. And I will start coppicing my hazels in the orchard
Thanks all

[veggiechicken]

Guess what, they are plantsupports.co.uk. Who'd have thought it

Such an imaginative name - no wonder we couldn't remember it
They have some tempting items on their website

[VirginVegGrower]

Such an imaginative name - no wonder we couldn't remember it
They have some tempting items on their website

And June offers it would seem. Don't tempt me VC! You're such a tease

[veggiechicken]

The Rustic June offer is out of stock - I checked for you!! I expect they'd take an order for it though