One of the biggest barriers to people being able to pursue basket weaving with natural materials is finding the actual materials. You can't buy them anywhere usually and for many, that can be a big challenge. But not anymore! In as little space as a back home garden - whether it be in a condo, suburban home, or larger property - anyone can grow a basketry garden that will yield lots of basket weaving materials to use year-round.

My love for basket weaving with natural materials has always been because of my connection to the materials I use. Having the opportunity to source and harvest materials locally brings me great joy and fulfillment both artistically and personally. With the growing interest in sustainable living and handmade crafts, many craft enthusiasts are turning to their gardens to grow their own basketry materials. This article will guide you through starting your own basketry garden at home, focusing on selecting plants, understanding space requirements, planning the layout, and knowing the best time for harvesting.

And remember, it's never to early to start learning some new skills inside my online basket weaving courses and save 75% off.

Key plants for your Basketry garden

PictureSiberian Iris in a Basketry Garden
Basketry plants are those whose parts—such as stems, foliage, and sometimes even roots—can be used to weave baskets. The flexibility, strength, and durability of these parts are crucial characteristics. The plants suggested for a basketry garden include both traditional and less commonly used species that provide a variety of textures, colors, and weaving properties.
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When planning your garden, think in terms of three main categories: foliage, vines, and woody stems or branches. This will give you a variety of materials to create from as well as beauty in your garden.

Foliage
In terms of foliage, I like to think of two different types: leaves and grasses.  Some of my favorite leaf foliage for basket weaving include:
  1. Daylily: Known for their beautiful flowers, daylilies also offer strong, fibrous leaves ideal for basketry. The leaves can be harvested in late summer when they are mature and dried for later use.
  2. Daffodils: One of the first plants up and blooming in the garden, it's usually ready to be harvested in mid-spring after the blooms have wilted and the foliage begins to fall to the ground.
  3. Siberian Iris: This iris species has tall, strong leaves that can be used in their green state for weaving or dried for future projects. They add a smooth texture to baskets.
  4. Yellow Flag Iris: Similar to Siberian iris, the yellow flag iris provides robust leaves. Ensure to control its growth as it can be invasive in some areas.
  5. Crocosmia: While primarily grown for its flowers, Crocosmia's sword-like foliage can also be used in basket weaving, providing an exotic look.
  6. Cattails: Commonly found in wetlands, cattails can be grown in damp areas of your garden. Their leaves and stalks are excellent materials for sturdy baskets.
  7. Agapanthus: Known for its stunning blue flowers, Agapanthus' long, strap-like leaves are also suitable for weaving, offering a unique texture.
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Additionally, grasses that can be easily grown in a basketry garden include:
  1. Pink Muhly Grass: a stunning ornamental grass known for its delicate, feathery plumes of pink flowers that bloom in late summer to fall. This grass forms dense clumps of narrow, arching leaves, creating a striking visual effect in the garden. The dried plumes and leaves of Pink Muhly Grass can be used in basketry for adding texture and a subtle splash of color. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it a low-maintenance addition to a basketry garden.
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  2. Feather Grass: Feather Grass, also known as Needle Grass, is valued for its graceful, wispy seed heads that sway beautifully in the breeze. The fine, hair-like foliage and the tall, slender stems topped with feathery awns make it an excellent choice for adding a soft, airy element to baskets. Feather Grass prefers full sun and can tolerate a range of soil types, although it thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile conditions. Its seed heads can be harvested in late summer when they are dry, adding a delicate, natural embellishment to woven pieces.
 
Stems & Woody Branches
When it comes to more rigid materials, some great choices include:
  1. Red Osier Dogwood: The vibrant red stems of this shrub not only add a splash of color to your garden but are also excellent for basket weaving, especially in winter when the plant is dormant. Perfect for rib basketry.
  2. Green Dicks Willow and Other Basketry Willows: Willows are perhaps the most renowned basketry material. Their flexible stems can be woven into baskets, and various species offer different colors and textures. I personally use them for rib baskets and handles, primarily. You can also allow willows to grow for 2-3 years and then coppice them for bark in the summer. So beautiful and they will continue to grow back year after year! The best place to get high quality, affordable willow cuttings is from my friends at Living Willow Farm.

Benefits of Foliage & Stem Plants
  • Eco-Friendly: Growing your own basketry materials reduces the need for synthetic materials and supports sustainable crafting practices.
  • Aesthetic and Functional: These plants are not only useful for basketry but also add beauty and biodiversity to your garden.
  • Wildlife Support: Many basketry plants, especially

Vines
As you probably know, vines can be a little tricky in a home basketry garden. Especially in terms of keeping them under control. However, it can be done and some of my favorite vines for a home basketry garden include:
  1. Jasmine: Known for its intoxicating fragrance and delicate white or yellow flowers, jasmine is a wonderful addition to any garden. Its flexible stems can be used in weaving for their strength and durability, while the addition of its aromatic flowers can add a sensory dimension to your baskets.
  2. Japanese Honeysuckle: This vigorous vine is prized for its sweetly scented flowers and its ability to cover structures quickly, providing shade and greenery. The long, flexible stems of Japanese Honeysuckle are ideal for weaving, offering resilience and pliability. However, it's important to manage its growth to prevent it from becoming invasive.
  3. Wisteria: With its stunning cascades of purple or white flowers, wisteria adds a dramatic flair to any garden space. The vines of wisteria, known for their strength and thickness, are excellent for creating sturdy basket frames or handles. Their robust nature means they can support more substantial basket designs.
  4. Clematis: This vine is known for its variety of colorful flowers and can add a decorative touch to your baskets. The stems are best used when they are mature and have a degree of flexibility, ideal for more intricate weaving work.
  5. Morning Glory: With its rapid growth and vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers, morning glory can bring a splash of color to your garden. The vines are relatively thin and flexible, making them suitable for delicate weaving or as embellishments in basket designs.
  6. Ivy: Ivy vines, with their classic aesthetic and hardy nature, can be trained to grow in various directions, offering a versatile weaving material. The stems can range from thin and pliable to thick and sturdy, suitable for different basketry applications.
  7. ​Sweet Pea: Known for its fragrant and colorful flowers, sweet pea offers thin, flexible vines that are perfect for delicate weaving projects. The flowers can also be incorporated into basket designs for aesthetic purposes.

​Benefits of Growing Vines for a Basketry Garden:
  1. Aesthetic Appeal: Vines can add vertical interest, greenery, and blooms to your garden, enhancing its overall beauty.
  2. Versatility: Vines offer a range of stem thicknesses and flexibilities, suitable for various basketry techniques and styles.
  3. Wildlife Attraction: Many flowering vines attract pollinators, contributing to the health of your garden ecosystem.
  4. Shade and Privacy: Fast-growing vines can provide natural shade and privacy, creating a more secluded and comfortable garden space.
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When incorporating vines into your basketry garden, consider their growth habits and maintenance needs to ensure they complement your garden without becoming overwhelming. Depending on where you live, some plants might have invasive tendencies or even be prohibited in your area, so make sure you understand what you're planting where. However, with the right care, most of these (and other) plants can be a beautiful and practical addition to your basket weaving repertoire.

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Purple Muhly Grass
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Basketry Willow Salix Purpurea
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Jasmine Vines
PictureDaylily and other plants
Space Requirements and Garden Layout

​The space required for a basketry garden depends on the number and size of the plants you intend to grow. A small backyard can suffice for a basic selection of plants, while a larger area allows for more variety and quantity. Consider the mature size of each plant and provide enough space between them for air circulation, sunlight, and ease of harvesting.

Garden Layout
  • Zoning: Divide your garden into zones based on plant needs—wetland plants like cattails in one area, sun-loving plants like daylilies and irises in another.
  • Accessibility: Ensure paths are wide enough for easy access to all plants for maintenance and harvesting.
  • Aesthetics: Consider the visual appeal of your garden. Use taller plants like some grasses as a backdrop and shorter plants in the foreground.

Planting and Maintenance of Your Basketry Garden

Soil and Water
Each plant has specific soil and water needs. For example, willows and cattails thrive in moist to wet soils, while daylilies and irises prefer well-drained soil. Amend your soil according to the needs of your plants and maintain appropriate watering schedules.

Mulching and Weeding
Mulch helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Apply organic mulch around your plants, keeping some distance from the plant bases to prevent rot.

Pruning and Care
Prune dead or diseased parts of plants to encourage healthy growth. Some plants, like red osier dogwood, may need annual pruning to stimulate the growth of new stems for basketry.

Harvesting Time
The best time to harvest basketry materials varies:
  • Late Spring to Early Summer: Ideal for harvesting willow rods for bark 
  • Late Summer to Fall: Best for collecting leaves from daylilies, irises, and agapanthus after they have finished blooming and when they are mature and fibrous.
  • Winter: Perfect for harvesting dormant materials like red osier dogwood stems, willow rods and all vines which are at their most colorful.

Additional Plants for Your Garden
Consider incorporating other plants like bamboo (especially black bamboo, one of my favorites), juncus (for its round, sturdy stems), and various sedges (for their weaving-friendly leaves). Each plant adds a different texture, color, and strength to your basketry palette. Experiment! That's the fun of it!

Starting a basketry garden at home is a rewarding endeavor that connects you with the ancient craft of basket weaving while enhancing your garden's ecological value. By selecting the right plants, planning your space, and understanding the needs and harvesting times of each species, you can create a sustainable source of materials for your basketry projects. Remember to experiment with different plants and weaving techniques to discover the unique qualities each material brings to your craft.