|
What the Experts Say about Y-Stakes
It seems that the gardening magazines and product
reviewers just can't get enough of our Y-Stakes.
Y-Stakes from Harrod Horticultural
(from 'Tried & Tested : Plant Supports' by Gardens Monthly, May
2009
These consist of an aluminium tube coated in
brown plastic and with a pointed base, and two flexible wires
coated in green plastic at the top to form the Y shape. The stake
is pushed into the ground and the wires can be bent into different
shapes depending on how you want to restrain the plant. The Y can
be opened out to give a horizontal arm to hold stems back or
several stakes can be placed around a plant and the arms linked
together to form a circle. Used singly, the arms can be bent to
create a loop around stems. This works well where a plant is
flopping forward; it can be placed behind it and the arms bent
around the stems to pull them back without it being
seen.
Pros: The stake is very sturdy and is easy to
insert into the soil because of the pointed base. The colouring of
the stake and arms helps the support blend into the background. By
relying on only a single stake it is useful for pots, such as tall
lilies.
Cons: Not so suitable for bulky clumps with may
stems.
Overall: Although expensive, these supports have
many uses within a flower garden due to their
versatility.
Suitable for: The shortest Y-stakes are suitable
for holding annuals and tall thin perennials such as Verbene
Hastata or Companula Persica as they remain low key. I used three
of the medium-size stakes around a tall hardy geranium, G.
‘Blue Cloud’, bending and linking the arms together to
create a large circle around the foliage. The tall stakes are great
for propping up the odd stem that flops after summer rain, such as
Galega.
Here's what Amateur Garening Magazine had
to say about these versatile plant supports in their May 2008
issue...
"Encourage your flowers to keep their heads held
high with this starter kit comprising three each of three lengths -
12in (30cm), 24in (60cm) and 36in (90cm). I was impressed with how
robust these stakes were and I wouldn't flinch at using them to
give more woody plants a helping hand.
They're made from aluminium tubing cut to a point
so they can be pushed into the ground more easily. I used a 2ft
(60cm) stake on my delphinium, linking the Y shaped arms at the top
to form a circle around the flower spike. I also tried two stakes
joined together around a clump of Canterbury bells.
Another option is to thread twine through the
links to tether a plant to a wall. The company recommends them for
top-heavy bloomers, such as dahlias and peonies, plus they can be
used successfully in pots to support lilies.
Once you start using them, like me, you'll find
they have a great many uses around the garden. Although pricey,
these should last years. You can buy specific lengths in packs of 5
or 10, which is more economical."
Star Score 15/15: 5* Features, 5* Performance, 5* Value - Voted
This Week's Best Buy - Top Marks - Shop Around, Amateur Gardening,
31 May 2008
|
