I had a post, awhile back, that described making your own willow arbor. When I planted my sweet peas seeds I needed something for them to clamber on, and it was the perfect opportunity to use some hazelnut watersprouts that I had trimmed out the year before (I save those kinds of things).
It is a very temporary structure (if you even want to call it that), but enough for the delicate pea tendrils and light weight of their stems. Ok, I know it looks flimsy, and it probably won’t withstand much time and weather, even though those are sharpened ends pushed several inches into the soft ground… but I sort of like its simple thrown together look. And covered in sweet peas, all it has to do is support that main act :) this from a girl who used twine for morning glory supports for years (I now have fine and fancy LATTICE). You have to start somewhere!
I came across a video from fine gardening on making your own tuteur from more sturdy materials and I think I would like to put one or two of those together for later in the season. Maybe you would like to try your hand at some of these little projects, as well.
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Hi Ilona
It’ll look perfect with sweet peas scrambling up it! The fact it’s ‘rustic’, you know, not at all manicured means it’ll suit such a ‘cottagey’ plant.
I’ve made some tuteurs from weedy alder which pops up everywhere along the banks of the river here.
I’ve formed a teepee from them with a view to planting a climber against them.
Rob
HI: Ilona you just created another garden project for me. We could use about 10 of them.
Thanks for the info and the reminder that I have to come up with something.
John
It does look flimsy but should suffice to hold up the sweet peas. I prefer your approach – just enough to hold up the ‘display’ to remain almost unnoticeable. Easy to pull up when unneeded and easy to replace.I use cedar poles to make a tepee to hold up pole beans and other annuals. It’s a bit more visible but I get to sit inside.
We love this rustic look! My dh likes things naturalistic.
Well, we just pruned out a bunch of apple branches and cut down some unwanted mulberries… so if I get real diligent I have plenty of material for this new occupation of mine.
That is a mighty big “if”, but I will make one or two more of my hazel supports.
Well, John I hope to see pictures :) don’t Rob’s alder tepees sound fabulous? Alder trees always remind me of the “Wind in the Willows” stories.
WiseA: sitting inside something like that sounds fun – but at my age maybe I wouldn’t be able to get back out!
Hi Teresa… rustic fits this old farmhouse just fine… but sometimes I want something more “gentrified” ;)
Hi, Its fantastic Garden ornaments. Has this ornaments are hand made they have that extra beauty.
dear i.
dont forget the huge interior of arching strong branches of our forsythia “thinking place”…
the blooming part rode over this inner structure..a living tuteur.
I always remember that huge forsythia in the middle of the large back yard! It is how forsythias were meant to grow ( and shelter children who imagined and dreamed!)
The other best way I have seen these grown is weeping over an embankment.