I’m not sure whether the elements of this beautiful weave are from Willow trees (genus Salix) or perhaps, more likely, of Dogwood (genus Cornus). This was taken at Wakehurst Place an estate not too far from us which also is the repository of Kew’s Seed Bank
On the day we visited, elsewhere on the estate, Dogwoods were being cut back. The genus is well-known for the variety of vibrant stem colours that range from purple through reds and on to lime greens and yellows in winter. As the stems were pruned I noted how they were being graded and stacked by colour and thickness, which suggested that they were being saved for use – for weaving perhaps. (I should have thought to ask).
The image is a small part of one of a number of woven arches over the paths that I think have appeared in the last few months, because I don’t recall noticing them on previous visits. The arches feature a range of tones from pale grey through browns to charcoal black.
Beautiful work and a very pleasing addition to the landscape.
LensScaper 
I noticed that each “strand” seems to be a grouping of three. Do you know whether the stems were split? or perhaps were three branches gathered together. It doesn’t make any difference in the end, of course. It’s beautiful either way: both the patterns and the colors.
I cut some red dogwood stems in Minnesota in 2011 (!) and have them in a floor vase in my living room. Although they’ve faded a bit, they still retain their color. It’s just amazing.
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I don’t think they were split. I think the trio of stems has been used simply to enhance the weave pattern. Dogwood is one of the shrubs that brings colour in the depths of winter. Particularly when they are planted in tight groups they are a wonderful sight. Yours have lasted well. I wonder whether direct sunlight will bleach the colours slowly.
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This is so beautiful, Andy. Very nice work, my colours and a lovely pattern. I got completely lost as I looked up Wakehurst in the net. A beautiful and most interesting place. It’s now on my list for must-see-places-south-of-London. Hope you had a great start to the week.
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Wakehurst is not far from Nymans – another beautiful garden. This is a great area to live, we are still exploring it (been here now over two years, time flies). Thanks Dina. I must visit this place again soon when Spring finally starts. There are some huge Magnolias, but they do not like the frost and I am concerned that the flower buds – much in evidence when we visited – will have been damaged. Hope not.
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I have a Dogwood and several willow trees in my garden and the coloured stems are stunning in the winter months. Love this photo!
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Thanks for your comment Nikita and welcome to my blog. Dogwoods are indeed stunning, a splash of colour in winter is always welcome.
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yes, it has an elegant look, and integrates well with nature.
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Thanks you Shimon. It’s good to see natural things re-cycled in this way, and there is definitely artistry in the way the stems have been intertwined. ‘Elegant’ – definitely.
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Beautiful composition, Andy. well done.
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Thanks Ken. Credit should go to the weavers really who have created this art form.
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Very impressive! Leave it to British gardeners! I was just photographing Red twig dogwood, a species native in this area, the other day. They’re also yellow, and there’s a large group of plants of both colors, one in front of the other, in a nearby park. Difficult to photogrpah though! You did a great job with this weaving.
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Thanks Lynn. Yes, dogwoods are not easy to photograph – they always seem to look better to the naked eye than they do as an image. They certainly brighten up a garden in winter.
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LOVE the discerning eyes that saw this and thought ‘there’s a photo here’. Well done, as usual. 🙂
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Thanks very much Frank. Photos happen in the unlikeliest of situations. Carrying a camera in my hand alters my mindset – it makes me more conscious of my surroundings and that’s how some of these images come about
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