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A SIMPLE DOME/PLAYHOUSE MADE FROM LONG WILLOW WHIPS |
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See the criss cross weave 'in front/then behind'. |
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Right - Push your longest whips into the ground (about 6 to 9 inches is sufficient for them to root - go deeper if you wish). Space them evenly - leaving an opening for the entrance. Bend over two opposite whips, wrap them around each other where they overlap and tie together. Do the same with opposite pairs. See the photograph below. |
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Add 2 'diagonals' per gap - except at the entrance - planting diagonally encourages denser side growth. Ideally weave the diagonal whips 'in front of one vertical and behind the next' as this makes the structure more rigid - although tying the whips together will help while you are working especially towards the tips. You could join the 'diagonals' to create semicircles - rather than just leaving them to end in a straight line as on the wigwam. For a denser structure add extra diagonals. Where the diagonals go across the entrance simply bend them around the vertical whip a weave them back into the criss-cross pattern. |
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The whips for the dome were planted in January . The first three photographs below show growth in early May . Baby - Rachel - included for scale ! |
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Willows Walgrave Northampton NN6 9QA 01536 791371 E-mail |
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These two photographs show the same dome the following year in June with Anne weaving in some of the new growth and Rachel 'helping' (The new growth can be left, if you prefer, for a shaggier and denser look). |
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. . and June the next year. |
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See 'More Willow' for more photographs and Click Here for |
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LIVING WILLOW Offering willow grown in Northamptonshire. Please note - this is our old website and with effect Please CLICK HERE to go to our new site for full current details, availability more information and many more photographs |