amid chaos
05-17-2002, 03:09 PM
Blooming Umbrella
Louise Farmer has a creative way to imitate a small weeping tree in her Minnesota garden. Here’s how you can do it: Remove the fabric covering from an old or broken umbrella, exposing the spokes. If it has a large grip or curved end, remove it so the handle can fit inside a pipe.
You’ll need a hollow pole about 5 feet long for the trunk, although you can use a longer one if you’d like a taller “tree.” Louise uses a bamboo pole, but a PVC pipe could be substituted. It just needs to have a larger inside diameter than the handle of the umbrella after the curved end has been removed.
Insert the pole into the ground — at least a foot to keep it from blowing over. For extra security, you can bury a section of PVC pipe, larger than the diameter of the bamboo and then slip the bamboo into the pipe. Another option would be to tie twine to the spokes and to stakes pounded into the ground.
Stick the umbrella into the hollow pole. If you’re using bamboo, you might need to break through the joints by ramming the umbrella handle up and down several times.
Then open the umbrella so the spokes are fully spread. To cover her “tree,” Louise plants annual vines. Almost any type will work — morning glories, moonflowers, hyacinth beans, even pole beans. It only takes a few plants to completely cover the support. In the fall, everything can be dismantled and stored or left standing for an interesting winter garden silhouette.
Blooming Umbrella
Louise Farmer has a creative way to imitate a small weeping tree in her Minnesota garden. Here’s how you can do it: Remove the fabric covering from an old or broken umbrella, exposing the spokes. If it has a large grip or curved end, remove it so the handle can fit inside a pipe.
You’ll need a hollow pole about 5 feet long for the trunk, although you can use a longer one if you’d like a taller “tree.” Louise uses a bamboo pole, but a PVC pipe could be substituted. It just needs to have a larger inside diameter than the handle of the umbrella after the curved end has been removed.
Insert the pole into the ground — at least a foot to keep it from blowing over. For extra security, you can bury a section of PVC pipe, larger than the diameter of the bamboo and then slip the bamboo into the pipe. Another option would be to tie twine to the spokes and to stakes pounded into the ground.
Stick the umbrella into the hollow pole. If you’re using bamboo, you might need to break through the joints by ramming the umbrella handle up and down several times.
Then open the umbrella so the spokes are fully spread. To cover her “tree,” Louise plants annual vines. Almost any type will work — morning glories, moonflowers, hyacinth beans, even pole beans. It only takes a few plants to completely cover the support. In the fall, everything can be dismantled and stored or left standing for an interesting winter garden silhouette.
— From Garden Gate Issue 38
Louise Farmer has a creative way to imitate a small weeping tree in her Minnesota garden. Here’s how you can do it: Remove the fabric covering from an old or broken umbrella, exposing the spokes. If it has a large grip or curved end, remove it so the handle can fit inside a pipe.
You’ll need a hollow pole about 5 feet long for the trunk, although you can use a longer one if you’d like a taller “tree.” Louise uses a bamboo pole, but a PVC pipe could be substituted. It just needs to have a larger inside diameter than the handle of the umbrella after the curved end has been removed.
Insert the pole into the ground — at least a foot to keep it from blowing over. For extra security, you can bury a section of PVC pipe, larger than the diameter of the bamboo and then slip the bamboo into the pipe. Another option would be to tie twine to the spokes and to stakes pounded into the ground.
Stick the umbrella into the hollow pole. If you’re using bamboo, you might need to break through the joints by ramming the umbrella handle up and down several times.
Then open the umbrella so the spokes are fully spread. To cover her “tree,” Louise plants annual vines. Almost any type will work — morning glories, moonflowers, hyacinth beans, even pole beans. It only takes a few plants to completely cover the support. In the fall, everything can be dismantled and stored or left standing for an interesting winter garden silhouette.
Blooming Umbrella
Louise Farmer has a creative way to imitate a small weeping tree in her Minnesota garden. Here’s how you can do it: Remove the fabric covering from an old or broken umbrella, exposing the spokes. If it has a large grip or curved end, remove it so the handle can fit inside a pipe.
You’ll need a hollow pole about 5 feet long for the trunk, although you can use a longer one if you’d like a taller “tree.” Louise uses a bamboo pole, but a PVC pipe could be substituted. It just needs to have a larger inside diameter than the handle of the umbrella after the curved end has been removed.
Insert the pole into the ground — at least a foot to keep it from blowing over. For extra security, you can bury a section of PVC pipe, larger than the diameter of the bamboo and then slip the bamboo into the pipe. Another option would be to tie twine to the spokes and to stakes pounded into the ground.
Stick the umbrella into the hollow pole. If you’re using bamboo, you might need to break through the joints by ramming the umbrella handle up and down several times.
Then open the umbrella so the spokes are fully spread. To cover her “tree,” Louise plants annual vines. Almost any type will work — morning glories, moonflowers, hyacinth beans, even pole beans. It only takes a few plants to completely cover the support. In the fall, everything can be dismantled and stored or left standing for an interesting winter garden silhouette.
— From Garden Gate Issue 38