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The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow brochure
The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
What is Living Willow?Living willow has, in its form and structure, an undeniable beauty and inner poetry. Planted as bare cuttings during the months of November through to March, you will see your unique design take shape to give form and focus to your space. By spring the willow is in bud and by the summer it will be bursting into leaf and full of intrigue, attracting a huge diversity of wildlife.
Willow has been used throughout the centuries for both its medicinal properties and its creative versatility. Here at The Plot we have taken this beauty and versatility to create magical living willow structures that give year round joy to children and adults alike. We have worked in schools and private homes transforming gardens, public spaces and playgrounds. Whether it is a willow tunnel, dome, wigwam, arch, maze or sculpture, each willow structure is carefully planned and designed in consultation with you to utilise how your space is used.
In an educational setting the willow can be a springboard for cross curricular activities incorporating art, craft, design, ecology, science and industrial processes.
Teachers and families have told us of the wonderful picnics, enchanted story telling and the million imaginative games that are played in, and inspired by their willow.
With a lifetime of up to 25 years, willow needs only a little attention to keep it at its full potential.
The willow’s really nice and it’s a fun place to play in when you are making a little play and little movie and you’re talking about what you did at the weekend.-Kelsey (7)
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The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
Wigwams and DomesThis is a superb way to add an extra dimension to your outdoor space. A wigwam or dome is fabulous for story telling, playing in and picnics.
The design process starts with a site visit and consultation. At this time we discuss the size, location, and the number of door ways, windows and any decorations you may want in your structure. Schools have added flags, dream catchers and mosaics to their willow. Other plants can also be grown through your structure such as sweet peas, nasturtiums, morning glory, golden hops and even runner beans.
The willow is a great place to play in and we use it like a house.- Lara (6) “ ”
The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
TunnelsWIllow tunnels are always a huge draw for children. Tunnels can be part of the design of a wigwam or dome and can make the journey into your willow structure an adventure in itself. Your tunnel can vary in height to accommodate all age ranges, making it either a toddler exclusive retreat or an adult friendly ramble.
As a feature on its own a tunnel can transform an everyday pathway in your garden into a magical journey. We’ve found tunnels to be ever popular with schools and private gardens alike.
I like the tunnel. We can walk through it. When it was first there it was like grass and then it grew and grew and grew, and now its really big.- Jacob (4)
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The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
Fedges and MazesFedges and Mazes are wonderful as they can be designed to any height, length or shape. Archways can be included as well as windows and seating areas.
This is the most versatile of all the willow projects. It can be easily designed to lead to a magical space ideal for outdoor storytelling and many exciting games.
In its simplest form a short fedge can act as a woven barrier adding height as well as year round interest to your space.
It’s lovely walking through - it’s a nice place to calm down- Cáelainn (6) “ ”
The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
Butterflies and other insectsThese sculptures are very popular with children. They provide an eyecatching feature that can be a focus for classroom activities. If space is limited then this may be a project just for you.
Coloured willow works beautifully on these sculptures. Plants can be added to create colour in the insects wings or body bringing them to life.
The best bit was twisting the things around the sticks.-Ama (3)“ ”
The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
Other willow projectsDream catcherThis is a classroom workshop. We provide the materials and work with the children to make magical dream catchers that can either be taken home or hung in the classroom or willow.
ChairsOn its own or nestled in an arbour
a willow seat is a comfortable addition to your garden. It can be a solitary
chair or a large and robust bench in a bustling playground. The seat is usually topped with turf. If you prefer an aromatic seat, then thyme or chamomile can be
used instead.
Wishing tree Willow was considered so magical that priests sat among willow to gain eloquence and inspiration. To make your own wishing tree, three or more willow rods are plaited together. The foliage will then sprout from the top, making a little tree which can be planted in a pot or in the ground. For a wish to be granted, ask permission of the willow explaining your desire. It is fun to invent your own ritual, such as tying your wish onto the tree or representing each wish with a star hung from a branch.
Designing the adornments for the trees is a great project for children. We have seen drawings, collages, kites, poems, writings and ribbons used. Tying them to, or weaving them into your tree makes it truly unique and very beautiful.
I liked making the dreamcatcher because we made it with teensy bits of willow, with wool, beads and feathers. The wool was for the spider web bit.- Araba (5)
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The Plot Gardening Company
Living willow
Jane Rogers The Plot Gardening Company4 Templeton Close Upper NorwoodLondonSE19 3DD
Telephone:07947 756 914
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.theplotgardeningcompany.co.uk
It’s so good having the willow because when the willow wasn’t there, there was no home, so it was tricky when you played tag, and I kept getting got.-Ollie (6)
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