In an English Garden there are always interesting non-plant features. Articles such as clay plant pots, galvanised watering cans, trugs, bird houses, bird baths and sundials are often used to epitomize an English Garden.

Something no English gardener should be without is a trug. They have been very popular for centuries being used on farms, (they were originally used a means of measuring grain or feed) and in gardens.

Queen Victoria bought some in 1851, as gifts for members of the Royal Family when she saw them displayed in The Great Exhibition.

Prince Charles recently when talking about an experiment his household had at Highgrove House, when all the wheels on the estate were confiscated - found in the garden a line of men with willow trugs, could take the place of wheelbarrows.

A trug is a wide shallow open basket with feet. They are of simple construction, often traditionally made with wide strips of wood from Willow and Sweet Chestnut or from woven willow.

Today they are even available in green plastic but whatever their construction they are just right for carrying garden tools, collecting weeds, collecting eggs, harvesting fresh fruit or other delicate garden produce.

They are often depicted as a means of collecting fresh flowers such as sweet peas or lavender in old English paintings.

Trugs add an old-fashioned and cottagey feel to your gardening. The air of less hectic days yet they are still very practical and strong. A wicker or woven trug can be used inside the house as they look lovely as a centrepiece on the hall or dining table filled with fruit or flowers. They can also be used to display potted plants or in the bathroom for small rolled towels or face cloths.

They make excellent presents for a gardener as they can be filled with flowers, chocolates, seeds etc so when the contents are gone the trug comes into its own.

Traditional trugs should not be confused with the brightly coloured plastic tub trugs which are much bigger.

Enjoy your garden!