Living willow
Willow (Salix) is one of nature's colourful and adaptable building materials. It is easy and fun to create willow hedges, bowers, dens, arbours and walkways. For the more adventurous, wigwams, chairs and sofas would be challenging projects. You can make garden rooms, create childrens' play areas and provide privacy more quickly than with a more traditional hedge
Planting
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Choose a site away from walls and buildings, where there is plenty of sunlight but the soil is not too dry
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Use fresh willow during the dormant season (November to March)
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Make individual planting holes, or dig a trench, 30cm deep
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Use cuttings at least 45cm long, with the base cut diagonally
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Plant two-thirds in the ground
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Space cuttings 45cm to 60cm apart.
Aftercare
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Control weeds eg by using a mulch
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Add fertiliser once a year
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Weave in new growth
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Prune in late autumn
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Use prunings for new projects