Willow teepees, anyone?

[TheLesserWeevil]

I've inherited some living willow. Can I put a teepee in a flowerbed, or will it suck the life out of everything planted nearby? And does it really need to be 33ft away from the house, as one site suggested? I don't think my garden is 33ft long...

[JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel]

Don't do it.
I speak as a professional in the field.
When you say you have inherited it, do you mean as a potted plant or as willow rods?

Either way, yes it is a fast growing tree and it will require all the available moisture in your border.

[JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel]

If you want a teepee in a flowerbed then use dry bamboo poles.

Living willlow seems fun until you realise that most of the year it's just a mass of leaves and long shoots.

[TheLesserWeevil]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions! I've been given a whole load of willow rods, but haven't really got anywhere suitable for them to go... maybe I'll take them to my local preschool and see if they can use them for a den.

[Happydappy99]

I have a willow teepee in my garden and to be honest I wish I'd never planted it. It grows incredibly fast so at least once a week I have to weave the new growth in, if I leave it too long the branches get thicker and harder to bend. Seriously considering digging it up.