Woven willow heart at Willows Nursery
Woven plant support at Willows Nursery
Willow fat ball bird feeder
Woven willow garden or floristry decorations using corn dolly weave at Willows Nursery. Buy willow to make.

We originally grew willow for fast growing windbreaks at the Nursery and then to sell for living willow projects.  However, Anne also became interested in weaving with willow – just as a hobby.

The rest of this section will be written by Anne in the first person (as it’s really odd writing in the third person when it’s also me creating the website !  Anne) : 

You don’t need to be ‘taught’ how to weave with willow – you can just experiment to a certain extent.  I first attended a few local courses and then bought many books. 

Of course now there are also lots and lots of videos on YouTube – but that wasn’t around when I started ! 

I am not an expert by any stretch but I do enjoy working with willow (when time allows – and in the Summer that means planning ahead with soaking the willow**) the photographs on this page and in our Willow Weaving Gallery are of some of my ‘creations’ from over the last 20 years or so.  

I have run some willow weaving workshops here in the past, but that doesn’t fit in with our plans at present – meanwhile, I am happy to pass on any help that I can.  

I will be adding some short  ‘How to . . . ‘ videos to get people started on projects – or to give pointers at least (I’m on a learning curve with making videos) – and, of course, we are hoping that you will buy some willow from us too.

Anne Cordes

May 2020

We are now offering ready made rabbit toys,
a
s well as willow that you can use to make your own toys. 
You can see more information on this page
and order securely in our online shop.

Anne, April 2021.

Willow rabbit toys to buy from Willows Nursery

Willow for sale for weaving projects :

(Sold throughout the year – not just in the ‘living’ season – subject to availability)

‘Dead’ willow bundles 

‘Dead’ willow bundles** What we mean by ‘dead’ is that this willow is intended to be used for  weaving rather than as living willow for rooting. [However, if you order Bundles WK 106A or WK 106B for delivery in winter they will have been freshly cut so, if you wish, you can use the longer thicker whips to create living willow sculptures or very small structures – please let us know if you plan to plant them so that we can send you the freshest cut material.] 

** Please note that this willow will dry out and, if it is to be used for weaving from around late April onwards, it may need soaking before it is pliable enough – depending on your planned project.  Full instructions for soaking will be provided.

We are providing willow only, not instructions for making willow projects. 

We can supply 3 sizes of bundles ; mixed 3 to 5 ft (0.9 to 1.5 m) lengths,
mixed 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) lengths
and mixed 2 1/2  to 3 1/2 ft (75 to 105 cm) lengths.

You can order these bundles in our online shop.

Bundles of mixed 3 to 5 ft (0.9 to 1.5 m) lengths of ‘Dead’ Willow : Ref WK 106A   
Salix Viminalis “Bowles Hybrid” – £50 per bundle from December  : This variety is suitable for ‘rough’ weaving, say, around living structures, border edging etc. (it’s not a variety considered to be basket weaving quality).  Bundles are approximately 8 inches in diameter at the base and contain approximately 200 whips. 
Available for delivery/collection from early December to late February.
For collection only from March to October. 

Bundles of mixed 4 to 6 ft lengths of ‘Dead’ Willow :  Ref WK 106B   
Salix Viminalis “Bowles Hybrid” –  £40.00 per bundle for current dried stock.  £50 per bundle from December : This variety is suitable for ‘rough’ weaving, say, around living structures, border edging etc. (it’s not a variety considered to be basket weaving quality). Bundles are approximately 8 inches in diameter at the base and contain approximately 200 whips. 
Available for delivery/collection from early December to late February.
For collection only from March to October 

The dried colour of Salix Viminalis 'Bowles Hybrid'
The dried colour of Salix Purpurea 'Lambertiana'
The dried colour of Salix Purpurea 'Abbeys'

The dried colour of Salix Viminalis ‘Bowles Hybrid’

The dried colour of Salix Purpurea ‘Lambertiana’

The dried colour of Salix Purpurea ‘Abbeys’

Bundles of mixed 2’6″ to 3’6″ (75 cm to 105 cm) lengths*** of ‘Dead’ Willow :
Salix Viminalis “Bowles Hybrid” These lengths of whip are intended only to be used for weaving projects not as living willow for rooting.  

Each bundle will contain around 100 whips of mixed lengths  approximately 2’6″ to 3’6″/ 75 cm to 100 cm long.***

If using for making rabbit toys, we would suggest that the willow is rinsed in fresh water before use.

Please note that we are providing willow only, not instructions for making willow projects. 

£18.00 per bundle  Available from December 
Ref WK 106C 

Bundles of mixed lengths, approximately 2’6″ to 3’6″/75 cm to 105 cm*** of ‘Dead’ Willow : Salix Purpurea Lambertiana :
This is a ‘finer’ more traditional weaving willow variety (than Salix Viminalis ‘Bowles Hybrid’) willow.  Suitable for small simple weaving projects – not as living willow for rooting.
Each bundle will contain around 100 whips of mixed lengths 2’6″ to 3’6″/75 cm to 105 cm long***.

Please note that we are providing willow only, not instructions for making willow projects. 

£18.00 per bundle  Available from December 
Ref WK 106D  

Bundles of mixed lengths, approximately 2’6″ to 3’6″/75 cm to 105 cm*** of ‘Dead’ Willow : Salix Purpurea Abbeys :
This is a ‘finer’ more traditional weaving willow variety (than Salix Viminalis ‘Bowles Hybrid’) willow.  Suitable for small simple weaving projects – not as living willow for rooting.
Each bundle will contain around 100 whips of mixed lengths 2’6″ to 3’6″/75 cm to 105 cm long***.

Please note that we are providing willow only, not instructions for making willow projects. 

£18.00 per bundle 
Ref WK 106E  Available from December 

You can order these bundles in our online shop. 

(The photograph shows 2 x 1/2 bundles of around 50 whips each – it makes packing easier).

***We have limited the maximum length of whips in these shorter bundles so that they can be sent with Hermes rather than more expensively with a specialist carrier – so, available for delivery/collection all year round (subject to availability).

Longer whips of Salix Viminalis ‘Bowles Hybrid’ :
(For ‘living’ willow during the planting season and for ‘dead’ projects the rest of the year)

In addition, outside the ‘living’ willow season, we may also still have some longer lengths (6 ft to 11 ft/ 1.8 to 3.3 m) available – please get in touch for prices if they might be of interest. 

Please note, depending on the time of year, this willow may have dried and, depending on your project, it may need soaking before it is pliable enough to use. 

 

Other willow varieties :

We grow several varieties of willow (but mainly to supply short living willow cuttings for sale) but not in as large quantities as the ‘Bowles Hybrid’.

We may be able to provide small bundles of different varieties or different lengths to those listed above – please get in touch to check on availability if they might be of interest. 

 

A bundle of Salix Viminalis ‘Bowles’ Hybrid willow whips – mixed lengths approximately 2’6″ to 3’6″/ 75 cm to 105 cm – for sending with Hermes.

DELIVERY :  
We send out living orders from early December to late February (subject to availability).

‘Dead’ willow bundles are also available outside the living willow season whilst supplies last.
During this period the longer length bundles* – 0.9 to 1.5 m and 1.2 to 1.8 m are only available for collection !  
Please call us on 01536 791371 or email 
anne@willowsnursery.co.uk to check on availability and to arrange payment. 

*The shorter bundles WK106C/D & E (2′ 6″ to 3′ 6″/75 cm to 105 cm )
can be sent out for delivery with EVRi (formerly Hermes) at a cost of £4.00.

Long living willow whips, kits and longer ‘dead’ bundles have to be sent by a specialist carrier, because of their length,
at a cost of
£19.00 charge per order towards packing and delivery to addresses in mainland England & Wales.

We can deliver to Scotland too, however, unfortunately the carriage charge
will be higher. Higher charges also apply to the Isle of Wight.

Please telephone or email for carriage charges 
if you need delivery to any of these areas.

PLEASE NOTE :  You are welcome to come and collect your order by appointment !

We are not VAT registered.

If you are interested in willow weaving, please use the links below to have a look at our other pages for more information, photographs and ideas . . . . .