i have seen what looks like coat stands, but for hanging baskets,have a look under 'p' at the bottom of the page and i think there is a stand or something like that there which will do the job,or they are at the garden centres.

plantmaiden is quite correct. you can get wrought iron ones that look like a shepherd's crook. they range in price depending on the quality and ornament.

I've seen them in those random catalogues that drop out of newspapers.

google garden jardenierie ( think the spelling is right) I had a look last night and thought they looked quite nice.

I found googling "hanging basket stand" gave better results. The "jardiniere" search brought up mainly big urns

I have a stand for some time. I bought it in the bird feeding section of a garden centre a long time ago. Mostly I have used it for a hanging basket. It has a substantial square metal post and sticks into soil very easily with two blunt metal prongs, which I stamp on to put it in place....comes up very easily. In the winter there is an RSPB table on chains that hangs on the hook. The bird table is in the shrubbery in summer, in shade, to discourage seed germination, and the ringed doves use it a lot. Saves it being a bit of junk in the shed.

Thanks a lot for all your suggestions.