Living willow sculptures

Karen Neville

Willow can make an eye-catching addition to your garden as gardening expert Cathie Welch tell us

I have woven dried willow into baskets and animals. I have made living willow trellises, arches and tunnels but this year I have taken it to a whole new level sculpting the actual plants. I was inspired by a walk around Wisley lake to see these incredible works of art. 

Growing Willow 

There are many types of willow from the wild pussy willows to the colourful stems, similar to dogwoods, that we plant for winter colour. They are particularly successful in damp conditions in bog gardens and sound waterways. People are often put off because they grow so big but there are ways around that. It needs a little knowledge and some artistic licence! 

Propagating Willow 

Willow root readily from hardwood cuttings taken from autumn through to early spring when they are dormant. My propagation classes will be doing this. Take a section of stem ideally from the current season’s growth and cut just below a bud at the base and just above a bud at the top. It’s possible to root them from long willow rods and these are excellent if you want to make a walkway. 

Pruning Willows 

Often the trees are pollarded to the top of the trunk and you can do this with a smaller one in the garden. Don’t be afraid to cut it back to a stump every spring. Once the new growth has dropped all its leaves and looks amazing, it is ready to sculpt.