"Burlapping" Boxwood Under the Long Pergola

December 21, 2021

"Burlapping" Boxwood Under the Long Pergola

The season's burlap project at my Bedford, New York farm continues at my long and winding pergola.

As many of you know, I've been covering shrubs and hedges with burlap for many years to protect the branches from splaying and even breaking from the weight of snow and ice. Every season, our wrapping methods become easier and more streamlined, giving me peace of mind during the cold weather months. This entire project takes weeks to complete, but it's almost done. And just in time - winter officially begins today.

Here are more photos of our "burlapping" process, enjoy.

: My long pergola is located along the carriage road leading to my home. Here it is in September – this garden is among the first guests see when they visit the farm.

: In 2017, I decided to line both sides of my clematis pergola with small boxwoods. There are more than 300-shrubs now planted here, and they continue to thrive.

: This hedge is now covered every year along with all the other tender boxwood hedges and shrubs around the property. Chhiring begins to build the frame on top of the hedge. The frames are built at least several inches above the plants so even the heaviest snow doesn’t weigh the burlap down and crush the foliage.

: These wooden stakes are placed in between every three of the boxwood shrubs at the pergola. String is used to ensure all the stakes and piping are straight and even.

: Chhiring screws the horizontal piping to the vertical stakes positioned along both sides of the pergola.

: Because the burlap covers are custom fitted for each hedge and shrub, every burlap cover is labeled, so it can be reused in the same exact location the following season.

: Here, Pasang unwraps the piece of burlap saved from the previous season and drapes it over the frame at one end.

: And then carefully covers the long hedge section by section. My crew has gone through the process several times – it is a well-executed production line.

: After the burlap cover is in place, Domi hammers in smaller wooden stakes every two to three feet at the base of these specimens.

: The sides are pulled over the stakes and then sandwiched and secured with wooden strips.

: The strips are four to six inches long – just long enough to accommodate two or three screws that will keep the burlap secure. These are also reused year after year – nothing is wasted at my farm.

: Here is Pasang screwing in a wooden strip at the bottom, securing it to the stake on the inside of the burlap.

: Here is one side all done – it looks great. Any snow that falls will just slide off the the burlap cover.

: The larger burlap shrubs are also enveloped in burlap. Do you see the hole on the left of this giant boxwood shrub? Various birds love to perch and nest in the big bushes, so I purposely add a few holes for our avian friends. These covered shrubs are great places for small birds to take shelter on cold, windy days.

: Our burlap covers last up to three seasons depending on the weather, but remember, these boxwood specimens also grow a little more every year, so the covers and frames have to be adjusted each time.

: The pergola is long and curved, but the burlap is measured carefully and cut to fit perfectly.

: Here is a view from the soccer field looking south toward my Tenant House. The “burlapped” plantings take on a whole new look. This boxwood is now ready for the winter weather ahead – which officially begins today.

: Meanwhile, holiday shooting stars are put up around the farm – it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

: I like to position them strategically on buildings so they can be seen from afar. Once the star is hung, the taillights are separated so they swoop properly and are all equally spaced. Here’s one above my giant Equipment Barn. I designed these stars for my holiday collection – they’re available on Martha.com. Use them all winter long to liven up your home.