How to make natural plant supports from clippings

Use birch, hazel or willow twigs to make natural-looking plant supports for your garden. Very easy, looks great - and if you use garden clippings, it's free!
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[@allisong6]

This is my to-do this weekend, making support's for our peony's, using Hazel tops the base for bean and pea sticks, and if enough I am going to fashion some sort of support for the Dahlias too. Dinner plates need a helping hand to too

[@allisongryski8452]

I've made some peony supports with plum tree prunings but I did end up needing to use some twine as they weren't quite as bendy and "twiggy" as your birch branches. I also used some plum branches against a fence to make a trellis for sweetpeas and some sticks just shoved in amongst the tall milkweed. Having put them in early, they didn't need to even form a circle as just a few straight branches in amongst the stalks seemed to stop them bowing over too much and catch them if the wind blew. We used the big branches wired together to build a fairy house for the children and grew scarlet runner beans over it.

[@TheGyreMadHatter]

Thank you for making this video! Been trying to find something like this instruction for ages. I just had a go of it, making the supports for my phlox and aster- turned out all right! I live In the US so I'm having a go using crepe myrtle trimmings since they're everywhere, pliable, and (I don't think) terribly inclined to strike roots.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it helped!

[@ildadomingues5775]

Hellooo recently made some wreaths with vine twigs...thank you for your videos...Obrigada from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You’re welcome 😊

[@flowergrowersmith449]

Brilliant - very good demo of how it's done. Well supported plants make your garden look a heck of a look better!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, yes, I'm looking forward to the border looking plumper and less straggly

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Am so intrigued by being able to make natural supports for my new dahlia bed. Think this looks very doable and even if it’s a little sloppy, it might very well be covered by my dahlia plants. The issue would be to get firm purchase in the ground with sturdy sticks to begin with. I might try those green metal supports at each end and then intertwine branches through them. All good. Thanks, Alexandra for another creative look at what’s possible.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good idea.

[@jsmith3980]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@katajozsa1528]

I like so much your videos, Alexandra. Thank you for all your good tips and nice gardens you take us to. We have a lot of Virginia creeper here, so i will try to make supports from its twigs. It can be bent like a wire. I only need some harder twigs to put in the soil, and then I hope it will be gorgeous. Thank you for the marvellous idea!! Kata from Hungary

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@madeleineloxton5997]

Great video. Thanks. I've always wondered about natural supports. Looks beautiful!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gjcinqmars]

Wonderful! We recently had a Nor'Easter and lots of branches came down. I will try different woods. Great video, thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Apparently some, like cornus, will take root - but it's still worth a try! Hazel and birch will be fine!

[@westcoastcaroline]

What a great idea!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you think so!

[@heidiabramovich1777]

Hello Alexandra, I love using what we have , branches, bean poles.... it fits better in the garden. I was wondering if you can show us how to incorporate dahlias in the flower borders with other plants. It would be so timely at least for me, in zone 4, Minnesota. Thank you

[@laurenb6451]

I made peony supports from Dappled Willow prunings. I should have made them SLIGHTLY taller than What I did but they were pretty good. I used many more pieces for the ring and they ended up looking more meat, kind of like a basket.. iI plan to do this again.

[@prof.cecilycogsworth3204]

Mulberry works wellfor this.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great tip

[@l.reneenunez4551]

Exactly what I was going to ask. My male mulberry is due for pruning anyway 😊

[@kimberlycarlile]

This is so clever! I've spent much too much on Essex supports, and they don't look at nice as your creation.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@shasha3able]

Is okay to prune birch in March?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's not ideal as it may 'bleed' sap, but if there are a couple of branches that need removing, it'll probably be OK. The best time to prune is just before the end of the year, but removing a few young twigs and minor branches won't hurt at any time.

[@shasha3able]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you very much !

[@shaunac9385]

Good post as usual. If anyone is interested in more garden structure ideas visit the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. I was blown away by the cutest, cleverest natural structures for all sorts of plants and situations.