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Writer's pictureRuth Woods

Discovering hidden basket making treasures of Bowermere Cottage Garden

As I wandered through the garden of Tarnya Harper's Bowermere Cottage in the Upper Yarra Valley in October 2023, I couldn’t help but feel as though I’d stepped into a fairytale. The meandering paths, the quaint charm of the cottage, and the sense of serenity made it a perfect setting for a plant audit. My purpose that day was to assess which plants could be ideal for basketry projects, and the Bowermere garden certainly didn’t disappoint. 🌿😍


With basketry in mind, I was thrilled to discover several plants that lend themselves beautifully to weaving. A few were familiar favourites, while others were new to me but sparked curiosity for experimentation.


New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) quickly became a standout. This plant is strong, fibrous, and a dream to work with. It’s perfect for a wide range of weaving techniques, and what’s more, it’s incredibly versatile. You can use it soon after picking, or strip the fibres and store them for future use. It’s one of those plants that, once you’ve worked with it, you’ll always find yourself coming back to.


Daylilies (Hemerocallis), with their soft, fine leaves, offer a delicate beauty to basketry. The texture they add is unique, and they weave beautifully into projects. I’d say it’s definitely worth planting more of these if you’re serious about basketry.


Another plant that caught my attention was the Bugle Lily (Watsonia). It’s a bit more robust and has a fine spine running through the centre of its leaves. While it’s a bit more challenging to keep under control in your garden due to its tendency to spread, if you’re prepared to keep it in check, it offers fantastic weaving potential.


The classic Iris (Iris spp.) also made the list. Its long, sturdy leaves provide strong fibres, though it does take a little more time to dry. But the wait is well worth it – once ready, it weaves beautifully in many projects.


I also came across Mat-rush (Lomandra spp.), a plant with strong fibres that are ideal for stitching and finer random weaves. It’s incredibly versatile, which is something I love when working with natural materials.


Finally, the Cordyline (Cordyline australis) is another gem in the garden. It’s easy to grow, and its strong leaves can be used for a variety of techniques. There’s something incredibly satisfying about working with a plant that’s as versatile as this one.




Don't forget the trees!


It wasn’t just plants I was interested in – trees, too, offer wonderful weaving material. The Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Mulberry (Morus spp.), Plum (Prunus spp.), and Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) trees in the garden all have flexible branches that can be

made into a basic form, dried, soaked, and

used after they’ve fully shrunk. It’s important to allow branches to dry completely before

use, as this prevents them from loosening in woven items.


Basket making experimental fun


During the audit with Tarnya, there were a few plants I wasn’t familiar with their use in basketry - and these would be fun to experiment with! Play by picking bendable branches, making a form and observing how they dry will help determine their suitability for basketry. It’s all part of the joy of working with natural materials – the discovery, the trial and error, the learning.



Ideas for plant handling for basket making


If you’re embarking on your own basketry journey, here are some tips for plant handling that I’ve found incredibly useful:


  • Keep a journal: Document the plant’s name, the date, and where you picked it. If you don’t know the name, try identifying it through an app or online search.

  • Track drying time: Write down how long each plant takes to dry. This will help you plan future projects more efficiently.

  • Note rehydration time: Finer leaves generally take less time to rehydrate than thicker leaves. Recording this will ensure you don’t over-soak or under-prepare your fibres.

  • Store plants properly: Keep your plants in a cool, dry place to avoid mildew or mould. A garage, dry shed, sunroom, or even a laundry (if it’s not damp) works well.

  • Consider home displays: If you’re like me, you might even enjoy creating rustic displays with your dried plants. It’s a beautiful way to keep nature indoors while your materials are waiting to be used - it also is a great way to keep them in great condition.

  • Rehydrate before use: Dried fibres must be rehydrated to make them pliable, otherwise they will crack or break during weaving.


Plant list for basket making

Tarnya's Bowermere Cottage garden is truly a treasure trove of basketry materials. The abundance of New Zealand Flax, the sturdy Iris leaves, and the flexible branches of trees like the Japanese Maple and Silver Birch mean that there’s always something new to explore and experiment with. With proper care, documentation, and storage, these plants will provide materials for beautiful, long-lasting baskets and sculptures.


Whether you’re a seasoned weaver or just starting out, there’s something incredibly special about working with plants you’ve harvested and prepared yourself.


If you would like your own Plant Audit Template, feel free to download a blank version here. 🌞🤗


Follow Tarnya on Instagram @bowermere_cottage.


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1 Comment


Guest
5 days ago

What a lovely garden and to think you can also source plant materials to make baskets. I'll have to look in my garden now and see what I have.

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