Somerset Willow Adventure

There are some outings that feel less like errands and more like the gentle opening chapter of a season. My recent trip to the Somerset Levels in search of the Somerset willow growers farm, to purchace some green willow turned out to be exactly that — a afternoon full of fresh air,warm sun, muddy tracks, and the kind of quiet enthusiasm that only gardeners truly understand.

A Spring Journey to the Levels

With the car boot cleared and a flask of coffee packed, we set off , heading west as the countryside softened into the wide, watery landscape of the Levels. The sky felt enormous, the fields stretched endlessly, and everywhere there were signs of the season waking up.

This wasn’t just a shopping trip. It felt like the official beginning of my dahlia-growing year.

A Warm Welcome at the Farm

We were greeted with the sort of welcome that instantly makes you feel you’ve come to the right place — friendly, unhurried and genuinely enthusiastic. Before we even reached the willow stacks, the farmer was already chatting to us about the season, the weather, and how the harvest had gone this year.

Rather than simply pointing us toward the bundles, he kindly took us on a tour around the farm, and what followed was a fascinating glimpse into a craft that feels both ancient and quietly thriving.

Stripping and Sorting

Back at the yard, we watched as he described the process of sorting the rods by size, colour and flexibility. Some willow is left with its bark on for structural work, while other rods are stripped to reveal the pale wood beneath, ready for finer weaving and craft.

Bundles were stacked everywhere, each tied and labelled with quiet precision. It was impossible not to admire the care that goes into preparing something so natural for so many different uses.

Choosing Willow for the Dahlia Bed

My original purpose soon returned to the front of my mind — the new dahlia bed waiting patiently at home.

This year, I am determined to support them properly from the start. No more hurried summer improvisation with canes and string. Instead, I plan to weave my own willow obelisks and supports, something that will feel part of the garden rather than an afterthought.

We chose strong, straight green willow rods ideal for building structures that will disappear beneath foliage and flowers as the season progresses. A bundle 6ft tall , one of 5ft and one of 4 ft and a large bundle of very long sticks.

I can already picture the finished bed: tall, elegant supports covered in leaves and colour by midsummer.

The Bundle I Couldn’t Resist

Of course, no visit like this ends with only the practical purchases.

Nearby was a bundle of slender crafting willow — thin, flexible and full of possibility. It seemed impossible to leave without it. Plans are still forming, but ideas are already bubbling away:

• woven bird feeders

• garden decorations

• perhaps a small rustic sculpture

Watch this space.

Coming Home Inspired

Driving home, the car filled with the earthy scent of fresh willow, it felt as though we had collected far more than just materials. We brought back stories, inspiration and a deeper appreciation for the craft behind every rod.

Now the bundles are stored, the dahlia bed is waiting, and the weaving will begin very soon. With luck, by summer the garden will hold willow structures that carry a little piece of the Somerset Levels within them.

Sue

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