How to make a twig heart

A heart made of twigs hanging from a wooden cart at Mottisfont — Make a twig heart

At Mottisfont, we love to recycle our garden waste where possible. Trimmings from the lime walk are perfect for crafting, as they're brightly coloured and pliable. We're offering bundles that you can pick up for a suggested donation - why not make your own twig heart to give as a Valentine's Day gift, or for your own decoration?

You will need:

Up to six lime tree twigs
Secateurs
Scissors
Garden twine (two pieces, 30cm and 25cm, plus a short length for a hanging loop if you wish)
Colourful raffia or ribbon (optional)

1. Test the twigs for flexibility

Use your thumb to gently ease the twig into a curve. Do this several times along each twig, to make sure they won’t snap.

A twig being bent — Test the twigs for flexibility

2. Arrange the twigs so that the tips are roughly level

They don’t have to be exactly aligned.

3. Form a heart shape

Holding the base of all the twigs in one hand, use your other hand to bend half of them around to form half a heart shape.You’ll want these to cross over the top of the twigs, with several inches underneath and curving away.

Twigs being curved into a heart shape — Form a heart shape

Repeat on the opposite side to create a heart shape.

4. Secure the shape with twine

Hold the heart shape in place and tie the twigs together at the bottom point of the heart with around 30cm of twine. Wrap the twine around three times and knot at the back.

Tying twine onto bent twigs — Secure the shape with twine

Although it’s possible to do this alone, you may find it handy to have help at this stage. Use 25cm twine to do a second tie at the centre top of the heart, again knotting at the back.

If you would like to hang your heart, you can attach another loop of twine here.