This time of year I spend a lot of time supporting perennials and shrubs, especially necessary when they have been weighted down with rain as last week.

I have a few of these decorative stakes, which look nice…

… and lots more of these that are more sturdy and really useful.

Mine are from Snape Cottage Plantsman’s garden in Dorset, home of fellow Cottage Garden Society members Angela and Ian. Their wonderful cottage garden is open to the public some of the year too, and is well worth a visit. Website:

http://www.snapecottagegarden.co.uk/stakes.htm