Plant Supports

I use link stakes. These are green metal supports that come in five different sizes. Each one has a hook at one end and a loop at the other for the next hook to go in (difficult to explain - I'll try and remember to take a picture tomorrow). Then you put them round the plant, however many are needed. They are not the cheapest method but by buying two or three dozen each year, you gradually build up a good collection
I use the circular steel ones for herbaceous paeonies - never thought of giving my acanthus any support

hi spritz, don't know if this is the same thing that andrew is saggesting but you can buy packs of something very simular in B & Q fairly cheaply i think they were 3 or 4 pounds per set and they are a bit like andrew discribed 4 or 5 linking supports in green covered metal that make a neat support, i was thinking of getting some for some of my taller things, i liked them because there are no sharp edges or sticks to poke your eye out with - thought they would look much better than the bamboo kanes with play dough stuck on the ends that i used last year lol.

Hello Spritz! I think I have a fairly unique way of supporting floppy plants - I use the long arching stems of buddleja. Just last week I coppiced my large buddleja. I then strip off the thin side shoots. What I'm left with is sturdy 'canes' about 8ft long apeice. Over the last 10 years or so I've found they have several advantages over bamboo canes. For one, they look alot more natural as the colour and texture are more simpathetic. Another big advantage is that they are rougher in texter than bamboo - have you ever grown sweet peas up bamboo canes, then there is a big storm and the plants have all slid to the bottom? THis doesn't happen with buddleja canes and the wigwams I make from them look really good too. The other big advantage is that I get a new crop of them every year! The thinner twiggier stems get used in the veggie patch as pea-sticks - all in all, there is not alot that gets wasted. I try to use natural materials in my garden as much as possible.

Geoff Hamilton used to use 5mm wire cut to length and bent into a U shape to hug the plant then legs bent down the right length for the height of the plant. He then pushed this into the soil to around the bottom third of the height to support the plant.
Muddled description I know but hard to explain. Customised supports!

Thanks for all the ideas, guys, - Buzzbee - we don't have any parks as we are in the very rural bit of Somerset! HOWEVER - at the moment, for some reason, all the local farmers are busy-busy cutting back all the hedgerows, so I might be able to nobble one and ask for some sturdy cuttings for use as plant supports - they only burn them! I will definitely look in at B&Q for the packs - they sound good! I am sorry to confess that I cut my Buddleja back and disposed of the cuttings. Oh botheration! Andrew - we are fed up with the floppy Acanthus, it has a mind of its own and must have support this year! It is already growing from the base, and I want to get in early this time.

It is a very architectural looking plant but it has the bad habit of spreading if you don't watch out! I have seen other Acanthus plants where they have NOT flopped, but ours does and then its huge leaves cover other smaller plants in its vicinity and of course they don't like it. The ones that behave themselves do make a great focal point in a border. The leaves look spiny but aren't and the flowers look spiny and ARE!

I've remembered to take pictures of the link stakes I use and have just uploaded them.

Do you let your acanthus self-seed spritz? That is how mine started to spread so now I deadhead it after the flower has faded. Any seedlings are removed in early spring before they have a chance to get a long tap root established

Good luck with your floppy acanthus! I wonder if it is floppy because it is in a shady position and is reaching for the light?

No, it's in the middle of the sunniest border in the garden! I shall be ready for it this year.... :-)