Choose the right willow

7 October 2021

There are hundreds of different varieties of willow to choose from. On our farm, some varieties are steamed while others are boiled and stripped. These natural processes help to create a range of different finishes and colours. To a relatively inexperienced weaver the choice can feel a little overwhelming. This guide should help you to select the correct willow for your project.

The willow for basketry & craft projects

Brown (dry) willow still has its bark on. This helps to protect the rod and makes it a good choice for outdoor sculptures and fencing/hurdles. (If you are making fence panels it is best to buy hurdle willow as these rods are 7ft – 9ft long.)

Brown willow is a popular choice with basket weavers. That being said, the variety of willow will determine how easy it is to weave with. Colours can also vary enormously. Below, you will find useful information on the varieties most frequently grown on our Somerset farm.

Allow time for soaking and mellowing

Choose brown (dry), buff, steamed or white willow and the rods will need soaking and mellowing before they can be woven with. Be sure to read our extensive soaking times and tips before you begin.

Choose the right brown (dry) willow for basketry

Black Maul is a supple and versatile willow. The name is somewhat misleading as this willow isn’t black – it only takes on a black hue when steamed. You can do a great deal with Black Maul. It’s a variety which is held in high regard by weavers and is one of the best types of willow to use in beginners basketry.

Black Maul willow

While many acres of our land are devoted to Black Maul, this is a tricky variety to grow. Black Maul requires a great deal of maintenance. It is best used as a brown (dry) willow in basketry.

Another good choice for basketry is Dicky Meadows. This is a sleek, fine willow. Once dried, Dicky Meadows acquires a grey/pale green tint. It makes an excellent choice for fine basketry work. The willow rods are usually very straight and taper off quickly. Dicky Meadows is another good variety for a beginner to use.

Dicky Meadows willow

Rather than taper, Brittany Green willow rods stay roughly the same thickness throughout their length. The name is a little misleading as the willow is predominately dark grey. In sunlight, Brittany Green tips are a lovely grey/purple. When dry, the top section of the willow turns a purple/dark brown.

The dark colour gives Brittany Green a rustic feel and it can easily be mistaken for a foraged willow. Brittany Green is ideal for making medieval or re-enactment baskets.

Brittany Green willow

Flanders Red willow is more resistant to disease than Black Maul. Flanders Red has a waxy skin and can be hard to work with when used in basketry. This makes it a suitable choice for more experienced weavers.

Flanders Red willow

Whissender is similar to Black Maul. The yellowy rods are stout and robust – ideal for big work. Whissender isn’t as flexible as Black Maul and is a variety better suited to experienced weavers.

Whissender willow

Old French works very much like Black Maul. The yellowish rods are very flexible. While the colour is similar to Whissender, the rods are around the same thickness as Black Maul. Old French is extremely flexible when soaked and is a good alternative to Black Maul. An excellent choice for basketry work.

Old French willow

Pheasant Brown willow is a rusty red/brown colour. The bottom 1 – 2 feet of the rods are covered with a distinctive pattern of white lines giving it the appearance of broken leather. Pheasant Brown is a good choice for basketry work.

Pheasant Brown willow

Other willow for basketry & craft projects

Buff willow (also known as stripped willow) is a natural barked or green willow which has been boiled and then stripped of its bark and dried. These natural processes produce smooth orangey/brown willow rods. Buff willow is great to use in basketry and other craft projects such as lantern making. (Lantern willow is also available.)

Buff willow

Steamed willow rods are a beautiful chocolate/black colour. Steamed willow is highly suitable for basketry and craft projects.

Steamed willow

Buff Noir is willow that has been steamed and then stripped of its bark. The willow rods have all the qualities of buff willow with the look of steamed. Like buff, the rods only require a short soak. A great choice for adding colour to a basket. Suitable for beginners to use.

Buff Noir

It takes a great deal of time and skill to produce white willow. Only natural processes are used on our farm. Years of experience have taught us the best varieties to strip. These tend to be Black Maul and Austrian Grey. Our white willow is lovely to weave with and is suitable for basketry and other craft work. Please be aware that white willow is more of a cream colour than a bright white.

3ft White willow (Black Maul)

Willow for outdoor sculptures & plant climbers

Fresh cut (green) willow can be used to make plant climbers, hurdles and outdoor sculptures. Fresh cut willow rods are extremely flexible and do not require soaking or mellowing. These rods are only available during the cutting season which is usually December to March. As the willow dries out the weave will loosen, so fresh cut willow is NOT a good choice for basketry work.

Fresh cut Brittany Green

Willow sticks are also ideal to use as plant supports and in other structural work. Sticks are NOT suitable to weave with or to make lanterns. Our willow sticks are usually available in different sizes and finishes.

Willow sticks

Willow for bank revetment, domes, tunnels, arbours & fedges

Living willow is perfect for outdoor structures and soil erosion projects. Our living willow and DIY kits are usually available from December to March. View our willow availability calendar.

Caledendron living willow

Flanders Red is a particularly good variety to use in living willow projects and bank revetment works especially where longer lengths are required.

Fresh cut Flanders Red