Support for perennials

[VirginVegGrower]

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

Stobbit as my daughter used to say

[veggiechicken]

You don't have to read the special offers, VVG its not compulsory. And it is only 15% off. Hardly worth the effort of ordering

[VirginVegGrower]

You don't have to read the special offers, VVG its not compulsory. And it is only 15% off. Hardly worth the effort of ordering

I deliberately didn't look

[veggiechicken]

Shall I delete my post then so that you don't know about the special offer?

[VirginVegGrower]

Shall I delete my post then so that you don't know about the special offer?

No I can resist...although I may just look at the rusty obelisks. Mr VVG said we shouldn't buy those as we couldn't get the big one in the car. He didn't say I couldn't buy it and have it delivered Did he?

[eirish]

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

Going on a course is a brilliant idea! Love it. And lucky you, having hazels to coppice.

[GardenFaery]

I've used willow stakes and would advise that they LOOK lovely but are completely useless after a while in the damp UK climate, cos the ball bit on top unwraps and frays and then the whole bloody stick unwraps too LOL.
Bamboo is good, but I suppose basic - if you are looking for ornamental/orginal type metal stakes - why not pay this site a visit? There are lots of artists who get overlooked because they are not on ebay or whatever, but often you can commission or have made a iron or metal stake in your own original design for a similar price to mass=produced stuff AND you would be supporting an artisan?
Or blacksmith, or someone who can weave willow without it unravelling like the cheap shops ones I bought?

garden stakes on Etsy, a global handmade and vintage marketplace.

[VirginVegGrower]

Those rusted plant supports of mine were just on Gardeners World with Rachel de Thame

[Acanthus]

There are some lovely things on the Etsy site, thank you GardenFaery,I particularly like the stained glass iris topped stakes. Will have to look into it, as USA site postage etc. when I was browsing, I was especially looking for artisan sites for woven willow/hazel type supports, which can remain in situ all year, will post when I have done a bit more researcg

[GardenFaery]

Yes Acanthus - there is a 'search local' function though to buy from local and UK shops on there.
I have also found with some shops that postage works as as economical as some UK mass produced brands, if the artist wants to boost sales by offering free postage etc.
Obviously with garden stakes there is the issue of weight and postage, but I comissioned a house sign in wood from an American Artisan recently and it worked out more economical than mass produced UK stuff and I got it just as I wanted - definately worth having a look