These supports are offered as a meaningful alternative - not only in terms of good looks - to steel shrub supports, since they blend so well with plants. The support is a rigid, split and untreated oak pole and the ring which surrounds the shrub is made of manila cane (which proves its great flexibility when used as a carpet beater). The two materials go together well as far as weather resistance is concerned - the Manila cane can certainly be expected to survive for ten years outside.