State-Journal.com - Getting crafty with herbs

Members of the Garden Club of Frankfort participated in an herb and artistic crafts program conducted by Marcey Broderson and Donna Hopkins at the club's April 11 meeting.

Club members brought baskets to usein preparing a kitchen herb garden. Herb selections were Basil, Sweet "Nufar'; purple Basil; Parsley, Plain Italian; Parsley, Triple Curly; two varieties ofCilantro the seeds of which areCoriander.Sphagnum moss was used to hide the mechanics, the visible rims of the herb pots.

Gardeners stamped plant names on smooth stones to further decorate the baskets. When the danger of frost has passed, the herbs may be planted outdoors along with the "Spring Thyme" seeds that were favors at the March annual luncheon.

Broderson and Hopkins also provided an exhibit of decorative and functional willow garden ornaments " wattle and tepees " that a group of friends had made. Hopkins explained that she had seen photographs of the tepees and other willow weaving inThe Elements of Organic Gardeningby HRH Charles, the Prince of Wales, with Stephani Donaldson.

The book details Prince Charles' and his staff's efforts to make his Highgrove estate a sustainable enterprise. Highgrove gardeners are adept at weaving willow for tepees, 6-foot structures that will support delicate climbing plants or provide a "tall" focal point in the garden. Willow was also woven as plant supports (for example, peony rings) and container embellishments.

Wattle is low fencing used for edging and looks especially beautiful with ground-hugging plants such as herbs. Wattle is a centuries old technique probably first made and used by Celtic herders for fencing in sheep.

When Hopkins shared the book with a group of gardening friends, they all were struck by the beauty and practicality of the willow objects. The friends, from left to right in the accompanying photo " Dianne Caines, Donna Hopkins, Linda Hill, Karen Nance, and Marcey Broderson (Ellen Moore was absent when photo was taken) " decided to try the craft. Another friend, Kathy Wright of Winchester, provided more information.

Recent wind storms supplied all the plant material they needed. Environmentally concerned gardeners, they especially enjoyed weaving "found" materials that would have ended up in a landfill, and repurposing that plant material into something useful. When the willow objects deteriorate, they can be added to the chipper for mulch. The fun the group had will endure much longer.

The friends completed tepees for each other, a cloche, a stork's nest basket, and several sections of wattle. All the willow creations were brought to garden club for display. A section of wattle, featuring the letter S, was given as a door prize to Audrey Schneider.

Hopkins, president of the Kentucky Council of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges, will prepare an educational exhibit on willow weaving as an entry in the Council's June 26 flower show. The show will be held at the Franklin County Extension Office and will be open and free to the public from 1-5:30 p.m.

Following are the directions for crafting a tepee. Materials needed are 7-15 bamboo uprights or other relatively straight wooden limbs (1/2 inch x 6 feet) and approximately 25 weeping willow weavers (flexible ends) roughly 6-7 feet long.

Set the uprights about four inches into the ground in a circle (or a large pot) spaced at even intervals. Let the number of uprights determine the diameter of the circle (up to 30 inches). Gather theuprights together about six inchesfrom the top and tie with willow (twine or wire).

Weave and twist willow over one cane and under the next repeating all around the bottom, tucking in the willow ends as you go. Now make a loose spiral of willow weavers (braid if you like) from bottom to top using the same weave and twist, under and over technique. It is recommended that you include a friend or four.

The next meeting of the Garden Club of Frankfort will be on May 9. Members will tour the Shooting Star Nursery in Georgetown.