Sweetpea Wigwams (Hazel)

[amanda21]

In one of this month's gardening mags (sorry at work so don't know which) there were some lovely rustic wigwams and arches made from Hazel I think.  It was all twiggy and looked lovely covered first in sweetpeas then with squash.  Can you buy this at garden centres or is it 'allowed' to pinch it from woods and hedgerows?  And if so how do I know it's hazel??   :-\

[amanda21]

[Tulipa]

We have a local woodland group who coppice the woods and sell the hazel sticks - is there one near you?  They are usually available at this time of the year and would make a good wigwam etc, although I haven't seen the magazine article to know if I am even talking about the right thing - please excuse me if I am wrong!!

[Ceratonia]

You could try asking someone on here who has a Cambridge City Council allotment - some of their sites have hazel coppice planted as a hedge specifically so plot holders can use it instead of bamboo.

I've got a couple of hazel trees in the garden - they're great if you can find the space. Very little work, quite a big crop of nuts and you can use the coppice for wigwams and pea sticks etc. but also a whold load of other stuff - I've made a bird feeder and a gate in recent weeks.

Doubt it's allowed to pinch it from woods, but you'll easily recognise hazel trees - they're full of catkins at the moment.

[bupster]

Amanda, as in email I'll ask at my site this weekend, as we do have a hazel coppice somewhere. Sounds like a lovely idea  :)

[Dan 2]

Great Idea! i couldn't find any hazel so I've made mine out of the wiegelia (spelling??!) at the side of the garden. It looks quite nice actually... rustic anyway...better than nothing!  ;D

[grawrc]

I was thinking of planting a hazel hedge once I get my new plot cleared. THought it would be dual purpose and provide hazel sticks to use for wigwams. Has anyone any experience of hazel as a hedge?

[Palustris]

We got hazel hedges. been in about 10 years. just about size for coppicing now.

[grawrc]

A long-term investment then!  ::) Thinks :Will I still be here in 10 years' time? :-\

[jennym]

Slightly off topic, but - am I too late to start sweet peas now? Info I've seen says start them in autumn?

[Dan 2]

No! Its deffinately not to late! I got some imformation from Sarah Raven today on Sweet Peas and annuals and it says you can start them in march- april time. I also did it last year and had WONDERFUL flowers!

Happy Growing..............Happy Growing................... Happy Growing............. ;D

[grawrc]

Do hazel trees/bushes thrive in Scotland and where would be a good place to buy?

[grawrc]

Also - not asking much am I? ;)- does anyone have any experience of the hazel with truffle in the roots?e.g. Seeds of Italy are offering some. I adore truffles but don't know whether they would survive in Scotland and what type is best?